By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe has established a 26-member National Committee to spearhead preparations for the 2027 United Nations International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism, positioning the country to strengthen climate resilience, community empowerment and sustainable tourism development.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi on Monday officially launched the committee, which comprises representatives from government Ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector and other key stakeholders.
The initiative is expected to provide a coordinated national framework for implementing activities that promote environmentally responsible tourism, protect the country’s natural and cultural heritage, and ensure communities benefit meaningfully from the tourism value chain.
Rwodzi said Zimbabwe’s preparations were particularly significant because the country’s legislative and development frameworks were already aligned with the principles underpinning the international initiative.
“The coincidence about 2027 being the Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism is that we have amended our Tourism Act, Amendment Number 5 of 2026, in line with issues of sustainability and resilience. If you look at the legislation, you will find sections that speak directly to what the United Nations is advocating,” she said.
She said the initiative also resonated with the national of becoming an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
Rwodzi said sustainability should go beyond environmental conservation to include the economic empowerment of communities, which are custodians of the country’s tourism resources.
“Communities are the custodians of what we showcase to the world, whether it is our heritage, museums, wildlife or landscapes. The question is, what comes back to these communities to ensure that tourism continues? Economic development is what sustains tourism, and communities must be promoted and empowered,” she said.
She challenged the committee to prioritize practical interventions that address climate change, particularly its impact on Zimbabwe’s wildlife and natural attractions, which remain central to the country’s tourism appeal.
Rwodzi also highlighted the need to accelerate environmentally friendly infrastructure in the hospitality industry, particularly through the adoption of green water-heating systems and innovative energy solutions.
She said pilot projects targeting hotels, restaurants and other tourism establishments should be developed, including initiatives that promote biogas production from organic waste.
On community empowerment, she cited gastronomy tourism as one of Zimbabwe’s existing interventions that could be strengthened under the international year.
Rwodzi said tourism operators should move beyond simply purchasing agricultural produce from surrounding communities and instead support local production by providing seeds, skills and other necessary inputs, creating reliable markets for locally produced goods.
“Operators must empower communities by giving them seeds and the benefits of what they want to consume. The facilities should buy back from the communities. That is sustainability through communities,” she said.
She said such an approach would stimulate rural industrialization, create opportunities for small businesses and ensure that tourism expenditure circulates within local economies.
Rwodzi urged the newly appointed committee to bring together government institutions, academia and the private sector in developing research-driven, innovative and practical programmes capable of delivering measurable results.
She said the membership of the committee should be drawn from strategic decision-making levels to ensure effective coordination and implementation across the different institutions.
New Ziana
