Zimbabwe Strengthens Role in UN Tourism Executive Council Talks in Spain, Advancing Sustainable Growth, African Cooperation and Women’s Empowerment in Tourism

Written By: Gishan Das

Gishan Das

Gishan Das is a dedicated graduate with academic backgrounds in History and Political Science and practical experience in journalism and digital content creation. He completed his History Honours from Serampore College under the University of Calcutta and Political Science Honours from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 2025. His academic credentials are supported by professional certifications including a B2 level Certification in French language, NISM Financial Education certification in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group alongside Gishan has strong expertise in journalism, news research and SEO-based content writing. He has demonstrated skills in news analysis, fact-checking, headline creation, digital storytelling and search-optimized reporting, which are also reflected in the journalism and media skills

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June 15, 2026 18:40 GMT+5:30

World leaders in tourism met in Toledo, Spain, during the 126th Session of the United Nations Tourism Executive Council, whose discussions were mainly on how to define the future of tourism by promoting sustainable growth, international collaboration, and tourism development. The gathering was meant to bring the member states together to talk about structural priorities that affect the future competitiveness and resilience of the tourism industry globally.

Being one of the 35 Member States of the Executive Council, Zimbabwe was a part of the high-level discussions that underscore the country’s participation in world tourism governance and policymaking.

African Coordination Strengthens Global Tourism Representation

Ahead of the session, Zimbabwe joined fellow African Executive Council members—including Zambia, Nigeria, Angola, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Seychelles—to develop a common African position on global tourism priorities.

This coordinated approach aims to ensure Africa’s tourism interests are more effectively represented on the global stage. Key focus areas include regional connectivity, policy harmonization, infrastructure development, and increased intra-African tourism flows. The unified stance reflects a broader shift toward continental collaboration in tourism strategy, enabling African destinations to better compete in global markets while promoting shared growth objectives.

Zimbabwe Advocates for Inclusive and Connected Tourism Growth

Representing Zimbabwe, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon. Barbara Rwodzi emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation among African nations through harmonized tourism policies and improved regional and international connectivity. She underscored that tourism development must remain inclusive, ensuring that growth benefits extend beyond traditional industry stakeholders to include women, youth, and local communities.

This approach aligns with global tourism priorities focused on equitable participation and sustainable sector expansion. Zimbabwe also highlighted its commitment to leveraging tourism as a driver of inclusive economic development and social empowerment, reinforcing the sector’s role in national growth strategies.

Victoria Falls Strengthens Zimbabwe’s Tourism Diplomacy Role

Zimbabwe further showcased its increasing profile as a host of international tourism dialogue by successfully organizing key UN Tourism events in Victoria Falls, including the 23rd UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability Meeting and the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Congress on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism in Africa.

These events positioned Victoria Falls as more than a premier leisure destination, establishing it as a regional hub for tourism policy engagement and international cooperation. The hosting of such high-level meetings strengthens Zimbabwe’s visibility in global tourism governance networks.

Tourism as a Catalyst for Inclusive Economic Transformation

Zimbabwe’s participation at the Executive Council reflects its broader vision of positioning tourism as a catalyst for economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable development. The sector is increasingly viewed as a key driver of foreign exchange earnings and rural economic integration. By engaging in global policy discussions, Zimbabwe aims to strengthen its ability to attract investment, enhance destination competitiveness, and expand its participation in global tourism value chains.

Future Impact: Women’s Empowerment in Tourism as a Growth Driver

A key long-term focus emerging from Zimbabwe’s engagement is the role of women’s empowerment in shaping the future of tourism growth. The country’s leadership in hosting the UN Tourism Regional Congress on Women’s Empowerment highlights the increasing recognition of women as central actors in the tourism economy.

In the future, women’s empowerment is expected to significantly influence inclusive tourism sector expansion through:
• increased participation of women in tourism entrepreneurship and SMEs
• stronger representation of women in leadership roles across hospitality and travel industries
• expansion of women-led community tourism enterprises
• improved access to training, financing, and digital tourism platforms

These developments are expected to create a more balanced and resilient tourism workforce while unlocking new economic opportunities in both urban and rural destinations.

Inclusive Tourism Growth: Expanding Community Participation

Beyond gender inclusion, Zimbabwe’s approach also aligns with broader trends in inclusive tourism development, where local communities play a more active role in tourism planning and benefit-sharing.

Future tourism growth is expected to prioritize:
• community-based tourism initiatives
• equitable distribution of tourism revenues
• capacity building for local service providers
• integration of informal sector actors into formal tourism value chains

This inclusive model supports more sustainable tourism development by ensuring that economic benefits reach a wider segment of society, strengthening long-term destination stability.

Future Tourism Sector Impact: Africa’s Expanding Global Role

Zimbabwe’s participation in the Executive Council also reflects a broader transformation in Africa’s role within global tourism governance. The continent is increasingly positioning itself as a unified voice advocating for sustainable, inclusive, and development-focused tourism policies.

In the future, this coordinated approach is expected to drive:
• stronger African influence in global tourism policy frameworks
• expanded investment in inclusive and community-based tourism models
• increased focus on gender equity and social inclusion in tourism development
• enhanced regional tourism integration and cross-border mobility

These trends are likely to redefine Africa’s tourism landscape, shifting it toward a model that balances economic growth with social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Outlook: Tourism as a Platform for Inclusive Development

In this regard, the participation of Zimbabwe at the 126th UN Tourism Executive Council meeting reflects the changing perception about the sector, which is increasingly being recognized not just as an economic sector, but as a mechanism that helps facilitate development, inclusiveness, and collaboration.

Through its collaboration with other continental partners, Zimbabwe is contributing towards the shaping of a future framework for tourism that focuses on prosperity, inclusiveness, and sustainability. In an era when tourism continues to develop further, it can be predicted that tourism in the future will incorporate inclusive practices including women’s empowerment, among others.

Image Source: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority