ZTA’s Showcase at ZITF 2026: Blending Heritage, Innovation, and Global Diplomacy

ZITF 2026 in Bulawayo came to an end, but the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s (ZTA) stand in Hall 3, strategically positioned at the Coke Fountain Entrance, left a significant mark as the vibrant heart of our nation’s tourism story. This immersive hub masterfully blended business, culture, and leisure, drawing throngs of visitors for networking, destination marketing, and authentic encounters with Zimbabwe’s diverse offerings: rich cultural heritage, traditional flavors, breathtaking wildlife, sports tourism, and community-driven experiences.

From day one, the stand pulsed with energy. Guests teed off in a Mini Cricket experience, spotlighting sports tourism’s rising star power. They indulged in Mapfura wine tastings, celebrating indigenous products and our flourishing gastronomy appeal. The culinary showcase elevated authentic Zimbabwean cuisine as a pillar of heritage-driven tourism, while the Rural Tourism Experience underscored community-based initiatives driving inclusive growth and grassroots development.

Daily Happy Hour sessions at 4pm became a favorite, with crowds uncorking the finest local Mapfura wines. These gatherings fostered networking, cultural appreciation, and positioned Zimbabwe as a leader in cultural and gastronomy tourism fueled by our diverse heritage, authentic cuisine, and warm hospitality.

ZITF 2026 elevated tourism through high-profile engagements. Day 5 buzzed with innovation as Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, toured the ZTA stand. She praised the team’s creativity, energy, and consistency in showcasing Zimbabwe as a competitive destination for domestic and international tourists, interacting with exhibitors and visitors alike.

A culinary pinnacle unfolded at Amai’s Kitchen, where Her Excellency the First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa Patron of Tourism and Hospitality hosted a Diplomatic Cookout Competition. The Culture and Heritage Cluster joined the Diplomatic and Expatriates Cluster in a celebration of gastronomy and cultural exchange. Diplomats from the United Kingdom, Malawi, Botswana, IOM, Serbia, Kenya, Tanzania, Republic of Congo, and UNFPA showcased their cuisines, weaving a tapestry of flavors that promoted unity, heritage, healthy living, and immersive tourism.

The event gained prestige with visits from His Excellency President Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa and His Excellency President Advocate Duma Boko of Botswana. Their tour highlighted tourism’s diplomatic muscle, strengthening regional ties and people-to-people connections, cementing Zimbabwe as a hub where culture, hospitality, and global engagement converge.

The fair closed on a high note with a vibrant, jovial Exhibitors and Tourism Night Dinner at Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel, themed “Connecting Markets, Showcasing Destinations.” Officiated by Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, it united exhibitors, industry leaders, and policymakers to champion MICE tourism as a bridge between tourism, industry, and commerce. Through a Whole-of-Government approach, discussions unlocked industrial tourism’s potential for investment, jobs, and value chains propelling Zimbabwe toward upper-middle-income status by 2030. Emphasizing inclusive, sustainable growth with communities at the core, the night aligned with President Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind, spotlighting rural industrialization and gastronomy. The Minister commended Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa for championing culture and gastronomy, as tourism transforms products into pride and drives shared prosperity.

ZTA’s successful participation at ZITF 2026 proves that our clusters from heritage and gastronomy to sports and rural tourism are ready to captivate the world.

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