Emirates Honours Top Travel Agents in Zimbabwe
Emirates has recognised the vital role played by Zimbabwean travel agents in strengthening tourism and travel links between Zimbabwe, Dubai and the airline’s wider global network.
At a ceremony held in Harare, the world’s largest international airline honoured several top-performing travel agencies, including Blueberry, Satguru and Traverze, for their contribution to driving passenger growth and supporting the Emirates brand in the market. Emirates currently operates daily flights from Harare and Lusaka to Dubai.
Speaking at the event, Emirates Country Manager for Zimbabwe, Omar Bushlaibi, emphasised the importance of travel trade partners to the airline’s success.
“Our travel trade partners are an essential part of the Emirates success story and a strategic pillar in delivering value to our customers,” Mr Bushlaibi said. “Aviation and air travel continue to connect people for business, family and cultural exchange, with a positive impact on economies and communities.”
Emirates has been a significant contributor to Zimbabwe’s economy since launching operations in the market in 2012. The airline has played a key role in supporting tourist arrivals, foreign exchange earnings, job creation, horticultural exports, and business and investment links.
To date, Emirates has carried more than 1.1 million passengers between Dubai and Harare and has operated 9,078 flights between Lusaka and Harare.
In terms of inbound travel, the top origin markets for passengers arriving in Harare include Dubai, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester and Beijing. Outbound travel from Harare is strongest to destinations such as Dubai, Lusaka, London Heathrow, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Beijing, Birmingham and Geneva.
Looking ahead, Mr Bushlaibi said Emirates remains focused on expanding its global network and enhancing the customer experience through the deployment of aircraft featuring its latest cabin products.
He confirmed that Emirates is scheduled to launch a new route to Helsinki, Finland, in October 2026, offering travellers improved access to Northern Europe for both business and leisure.
“With the introduction of Helsinki, we will be able to offer our customers seamless connectivity to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, and we are confident it will be well received,” he said.
Mr Bushlaibi also highlighted Emirates’ strengths as a full-service airline, including remote check-in options, the Emirates Skywards loyalty programme, generous baggage allowances, complimentary onboard WiFi, and a wide range of culinary offerings onboard and in its lounges.
He added that the airline’s customer-focused approach is supported by award-winning service delivered by a multinational cabin crew representing more than 160 nationalities.
