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Zimbabwe has a new partnership with the private sector to help develop necessary infrastructure in the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone. This new agreement, made in 2026, has a public cost of US$66.9 million, and focuses on the improvement of critical infrastructure for a variety of facilities and services, including hotels, tourism, investments, and services for visitors. The Victoria Falls, located in the western part of Zimbabwe on the banks of the Zambezi River, is a world tourism hotspot for nature and luxury adventure tourism. The importance of this new infrastructure development is that Zimbabwe is attempting to reposition itself on the regional tourism competitive index, attract a new class of International Direct Investments, and elevate Victoria Falls to be a world class tourism destination.
Victoria Falls is entering a new phase of tourism development as Zimbabwe focuses on transforming the famous waterfall destination into a broader international tourism and investment centre. The US$66.9 million public-private partnership represents a major infrastructure step aimed at supporting long-term growth within the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone.
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Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders”, Victoria Falls has long been one of Africa’s most recognisable natural attractions. The destination attracts travellers seeking adventure activities, wildlife experiences, cultural tourism and luxury escapes.
However, global tourism competition has changed significantly. Modern travellers increasingly look for destinations that offer not only iconic attractions but also reliable infrastructure, quality accommodation, smooth transport connections and diverse experiences.
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Zimbabwe’s latest investment push reflects this changing tourism environment. By strengthening the infrastructure base around Victoria Falls, authorities are aiming to create conditions for more tourism businesses, greater visitor capacity and stronger international appeal.
The development is centred around the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone, particularly the Masuwe area, where infrastructure improvements are expected to support future tourism-related investments. The project includes essential systems such as water, sewerage, electricity and other services needed for large-scale tourism development.
Victoria Falls is not only a natural wonder. It is a major economic asset for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.
The destination plays a central role in Zimbabwe’s international tourism identity. It acts as a gateway for visitors interested in combining waterfall experiences with safari adventures, conservation tourism and regional travel across Southern Africa.
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The location provides access to several important tourism circuits, connecting Zimbabwe with neighbouring destinations in the wider Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. This creates opportunities for multi-country travel packages involving wildlife, nature and cultural experiences.
For Zimbabwe, strengthening Victoria Falls tourism has wider economic importance because the sector supports employment, local businesses and foreign currency generation.
The destination’s growth also supports multiple industries, including:Tourism Sector Potential Impact From Victoria Falls Development Hotels and Resorts Increased investment and accommodation capacity Tour Operators More visitor demand for experiences and activities Airlines Stronger passenger demand for Victoria Falls connections Local Businesses Increased spending from domestic and international visitors Events Industry Greater potential for conferences and business tourism
The government’s approach reflects a broader strategy to use tourism as an economic growth driver.
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector has been rebuilding after major disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global travel restrictions.
According to tourism industry data published by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), international visitor arrivals recovered strongly after the pandemic period. Zimbabwe recorded 1,602,781 international arrivals in 2023, followed by 1,613,901 arrivals in 2024, showing continued recovery momentum. Tourism generated an estimated US$1.2 billion in revenue in 2024, highlighting the sector’s economic importance.
Victoria Falls has remained one of the main contributors to this recovery.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority reported that the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls welcomed 61,139 visitors during the first quarter of 2025, compared with 59,718 during the same period in 2024. International visitors accounted for a significant share of this growth.
| Indicator | Latest Available Data |
|---|---|
| Victoria Falls visitors Q1 2025 | 61,139 visitors |
| Previous year Q1 comparison | 59,718 visitors |
| Zimbabwe international arrivals 2023 | 1.60 million |
| Zimbabwe international arrivals 2024 | 1.61 million |
| Tourism revenue 2024 estimate | US$1.2 billion |
Source: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, US International Trade Administration.
These figures show that demand for Zimbabwe’s tourism experiences is recovering. The new infrastructure investment comes at a time when the destination is seeking to capture stronger international demand.
A major challenge for fast-growing tourism destinations is ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with visitor demand.
At Victoria Falls, the new public-private partnership focuses on creating the foundations required for future tourism development. Infrastructure improvements are expected to support new hospitality projects, commercial developments and tourism facilities.
The investment will help address key requirements needed by international investors, including:
Tourism growth depends heavily on destination readiness. A world-famous attraction can struggle to expand if visitors face limited accommodation options, inadequate services or weak infrastructure.
By investing in these areas, Zimbabwe aims to make Victoria Falls more attractive for global hotel groups, tourism operators and investors.
The project also supports the government’s wider objective of increasing investment into tourism-focused economic zones.
For decades, Victoria Falls has been primarily marketed around the natural attraction itself. However, Zimbabwe’s latest approach focuses on creating a complete destination experience.
The goal is to develop a tourism ecosystem where visitors can stay longer and spend more across different sectors.
Future tourism growth areas include:
This approach follows global tourism trends where successful destinations increasingly combine attractions with complete visitor experiences.
Travellers today often seek destinations offering multiple activities rather than a short sightseeing visit.
Victoria Falls already has strong foundations through adventure tourism, including river activities, wildlife experiences and nature-based travel. Improved infrastructure could allow the destination to expand these opportunities further.
Victoria Falls has significant potential in luxury and adventure tourism segments.
The destination already attracts travellers interested in premium experiences, including luxury lodges, guided wildlife tours, river cruises and adventure activities.
The infrastructure investment could strengthen this market by creating improved conditions for high-quality tourism developments.
Luxury travellers often consider factors beyond attractions. They look for:
A stronger tourism infrastructure network can help Victoria Falls compete with other leading African destinations.
At the same time, adventure tourism remains a major attraction. Visitors travel from around the world to experience activities connected with the Zambezi River and surrounding natural landscapes.
The combination of adventure, wildlife and luxury tourism provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to diversify its tourism offering.
Tourism growth at Victoria Falls also has implications for aviation connectivity.
Victoria Falls International Airport plays an important role in bringing domestic and international visitors closer to the destination.
Growing tourism demand can support:
The airport has become an important part of Zimbabwe’s tourism strategy because air access directly influences destination competitiveness.
For international travellers, easier access can determine whether a destination becomes part of a holiday itinerary.
As Victoria Falls develops further, aviation connectivity will remain a key factor in attracting more visitors from overseas markets.
Zimbabwe’s tourism development approach combines infrastructure investment, destination marketing and private-sector participation.
The government has identified tourism as a strategic sector capable of supporting economic growth and employment.
The Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone represents an important part of this strategy by creating a dedicated area for investment and development.
The latest partnership demonstrates a shift towards collaboration between government and private investors to accelerate tourism infrastructure.
The approach aims to create a stronger environment where tourism businesses can expand while improving visitor experiences.
Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls development is connected to a wider national strategy focused on tourism recovery, investment attraction and destination competitiveness. The government has identified tourism as a key economic sector capable of generating employment, attracting foreign investment and supporting regional development.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has continued promoting the country’s tourism assets through international marketing campaigns, trade exhibitions and partnerships with travel industry stakeholders. These efforts focus on improving Zimbabwe’s visibility among global travellers while encouraging visitors to explore destinations beyond traditional safari routes.
Victoria Falls remains central to these efforts because it represents Zimbabwe’s strongest international tourism brand.
The government’s tourism approach focuses on several priorities:Government Tourism Priority Importance For Victoria Falls Tourism infrastructure investment Supports hotels, attractions and visitor services Private sector participation Encourages new tourism developments International marketing Increases global destination awareness Sustainable tourism Protects natural and cultural assets Regional connectivity Strengthens Southern Africa travel routes
The development of the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone reflects this broader approach. By creating investment opportunities around tourism infrastructure, Zimbabwe aims to build a more competitive destination capable of attracting both leisure and business travellers.
The country’s tourism strategy also aligns with broader African tourism trends, where governments are investing in infrastructure and connectivity to capture growing international travel demand.
The long-term success of Victoria Falls depends on protecting the natural environment that attracts millions of travellers.
Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most recognised natural landmarks. Sustainable management is therefore essential as tourism activity expands.
The destination faces the challenge of balancing increasing visitor numbers with conservation requirements.
Sustainable tourism planning focuses on:
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority plays an important role in managing protected areas and conservation tourism across the country.
For Victoria Falls, responsible tourism development is critical because the natural landscape is the foundation of the destination’s global appeal.
Future infrastructure expansion must continue supporting both economic growth and environmental protection.
The hospitality sector is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Victoria Falls’ infrastructure expansion.
A stronger tourism investment environment can encourage the development of:
Currently, Victoria Falls has a mix of international hotels, local lodges and safari properties. However, increasing global demand requires destinations to continuously improve accommodation options.
More tourism infrastructure could help Zimbabwe attract additional hospitality investors seeking opportunities in Africa’s growing travel market.
For hotel operators, improved utilities and investment conditions reduce development challenges and create a stronger foundation for future projects.
The growth of accommodation capacity can also support longer visitor stays.
Longer stays are important because they increase tourism spending across multiple sectors, including restaurants, transport providers, activity operators and local retailers.
Tour operators are another important part of Victoria Falls’ tourism economy.
The destination supports hundreds of businesses offering experiences such as:
Improved infrastructure can strengthen the operating environment for these businesses.
When destinations grow, local tourism companies often benefit from increased demand and new opportunities.
Small and medium-sized enterprises can gain through:
The development also supports Zimbabwe’s ambition to ensure tourism benefits communities surrounding major attractions.
A successful tourism destination requires cooperation between government agencies, investors, hotels, airlines, tour operators and local communities.
The US$66.9 million infrastructure partnership represents a significant economic development initiative for Victoria Falls.
Tourism generates value beyond direct visitor spending. It supports employment, supply chains and local businesses.
The expected economic benefits include:
Tourism infrastructure projects create jobs during both construction and operational phases.
Employment opportunities can emerge in:
Large-scale infrastructure projects can improve investor confidence.
A destination with better infrastructure becomes more attractive to international companies looking for tourism development opportunities.
Victoria Falls is not only important for the city itself. Growth can support surrounding communities through increased economic activity.
Tourism spending reaches multiple sectors, creating wider economic benefits.
International tourism remains an important source of foreign currency for many destinations.
By attracting more global visitors, Zimbabwe can strengthen tourism-related revenue generation.
For international travellers, the Victoria Falls development represents a future improvement in destination services and experiences.
Visitors planning trips to Victoria Falls can expect the destination to continue evolving with stronger tourism facilities and improved investment.
The destination currently offers experiences including:
Travellers should consider:
Victoria Falls remains accessible through Victoria Falls International Airport, which connects the destination with regional aviation networks.
The destination is also commonly included in Southern Africa travel itineraries combining Zimbabwe with neighbouring countries.
Victoria Falls has strategic importance because of its location within Southern Africa’s wider tourism network.
Many international visitors combine Zimbabwe trips with neighbouring destinations such as:
The broader region offers opportunities for multi-destination travel packages.
Victoria Falls can serve as a major attraction within these itineraries because travellers often seek diverse African experiences combining:
Improving Victoria Falls infrastructure strengthens Zimbabwe’s role within this regional tourism market.
Zimbabwe’s future tourism development plans focus on increasing competitiveness, improving infrastructure and attracting investment.
The government has identified tourism as a priority economic sector and continues supporting initiatives designed to increase visitor numbers and tourism earnings.
The Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone development represents one of the country’s major tourism investment initiatives.
Based on published government strategies, future progress will depend on:
Zimbabwe’s objective is to strengthen Victoria Falls as a world-class tourism destination while ensuring long-term economic benefits.
The focus remains on creating a destination that combines natural beauty with modern tourism facilities.
Partnerships for Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Development collaborating with Victoria falls Tourism received US$66.9 million. This is a vote of confidence for developing Victoria Falls into an International tourism hub. Victoria Falls is one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Africa. With modern infrastructure, new investments will help develop Victoria Falls become a world-class International tourism destination. With the investments in hospitality infrastructure and the improved scenic environment, Victoria Falls has the potential to develop and position itself to become an International tourism hub. There are several opportunities for Zimbabwe to develop and bolster its economy with tourism and Victoria Falls is an ideal location as it the most popular International destination in Zimbabwe. The investment from tourism will not be allowed at the cost of the scenic and cultural resources that are the pillar of ethe value of Victoria Falls.
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Tags: Africa, Tourism news, Victoria Falls tourism, Zimbabwe
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