Zambia and Zimbabwe Deepen Tourism Ties to Boost Regional Growth and Sustainability
Zambia and Zimbabwe have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening tourism cooperation following the successful conclusion of the 3rd Zambia–Zimbabwe Joint Tourism Technical Committee (JTTC) Meeting, held from 8th to 11th October 2025 at Caribbea Bay Resort in Kariba.
The high-level meeting brought together senior government officials, private sector representatives, and technical experts from both countries to review progress and adopt joint strategies aimed at enhancing cross-border tourism collaboration and the sustainable management of shared natural and cultural assets.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Evans Muhanga, Permanent Secretary in Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism, commended the delegates for their active engagement and reaffirmed the shared vision of using tourism as a catalyst for unity, sustainability, and economic growth.
Mr Muhanga stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two nations to jointly promote and manage shared resources such as the Victoria Falls and the Siavonga–Kariba corridor.
He called for closer coordination in joint marketing initiatives, including aligning Zambia’s ZATEX and Zimbabwe’s SANGANAI tourism expos, to reduce investor fatigue and enhance global visibility.
He further urged the operationalisation of the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) to more accurately measure tourism’s contribution to GDP, encouraging both nations to learn from best practices in the region, particularly from South Africa.
On matters of connectivity, Mr Muhanga noted progress in implementing 24-hour border operations at the Victoria Falls Border Post, expected to become fully operational by the end of October 2025.
He also reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to expanding the KAZA Univisa regime to promote seamless travel across participating countries.
Emphasising inclusivity, the Permanent Secretary highlighted the need for all tourism policies and programmes to prioritise community empowerment, ensuring that local people directly benefit from tourism activities within their regions.
The meeting concluded with both Zambia and Zimbabwe pledging to translate agreed action plans into tangible outcomes, enhance regional tourism cooperation, preserve shared heritage, and position both nations as premier destinations on the global tourism stage.
