By Marshall Bwanya
HARARE — Tourism and hospitality minister Barbara Rwodzi has been hailed as the country’s “Princess of World Tourism” after taking centre stage at one of the industry’s biggest global gatherings.
Rwodzi, received a standing ovation in Berlin, Germany after being named Tourism Minister of the Year for Africa at the ITB Berlin 2026 PATWA Awards.
Zimbabwe then scooped another major prize, being crowned Destination of the Year – Natural Wonders.
Two trophies in one night and a global spotlight firmly fixed on Zimbabwe.
Yet the significance of the triumph goes far beyond the glittering awards ceremony.
For years, Zimbabwe’s international image was often dominated by stories of crisis, sanctions and economic difficulties, leaving its tourism potential overshadowed.
Rwodzi has helped turn that narrative around.
Tourism is now being touted as Zimbabwe’s leading contributor to GDP growth, overtaking mining and agriculture, while international arrivals climbed to 1.78 million in 2025, generating US$1.32 billion.
The country has also moved beyond its traditional wildlife offering, with Rwodzi championing a 12-cluster tourism diversification model covering gastronomy, culture, sport, medical tourism and adventure.
Zimbabwe’s growing appeal has also been reflected in its connectivity, with 23 international airlines now flying into the country.
Forbes magazine named Zimbabwe the world’s best country to visit in 2025, praising its “mosaic of rugged wild terrain and deep ancestral heritage”.
But behind the headline figures is a push to ensure ordinary Zimbabweans benefit from the tourism boom.
Four community-based tourism pilot projects, implemented in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, have helped sustain livelihoods in rural communities.
A major gastronomy drive, championed by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, has also opened opportunities for women, young people and persons with disabilities through nationwide culinary competitions.
Victoria Falls provided another major stage for Zimbabwe’s ambitions when it hosted the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, attracting delegates from 33 countries.
Rwodzi’s influence has extended beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
In November 2025, her fellow African tourism leaders elected her Vice-President of the UN Tourism General Assembly, representing Africa alongside Nigeria.
That appointment placed Zimbabwe at the centre of global tourism diplomacy, giving the country a stronger voice in shaping the policies affecting the continent’s tourism industry.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government later named Rwodzi Zimbabwe’s overall best-performing Cabinet minister for 2025, ranking her first among 25 ministers.
Now another award could add to her growing collection.
Rwodzi has been nominated for the Unstoppable Cabinet Minister of the Year 2026 Award, a continental honour recognising “bold administrative reforms, transparent policy implementation and high-impact development initiatives.”
Voting closes on October 5.
After years of having Zimbabwe’s story told largely through the eyes of outsiders, Rwodzi’s rise represents a different kind of victory.
It is a story of a country seeking to define itself through its landscapes, culture, food, people and heritage — and demanding that the world pay attention.
As the Tourism Ministry put it: “This appointment places Zimbabwe at the heart of global tourism diplomacy.”
Well, judging by the applause in Berlin, the world is finally listening.
