Over 500,000 Visit Zimbabwe Pavilion In Osaka

Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

More than 500,000 people visited Zimbabwe’s Pavilion at the ongoing Osaka 2025 Expo in Japan, as the country recorded a major breakthrough in its international tourism promotion efforts.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, who led Zimbabwe’s delegation during a week long visit, said the turnout demonstrated growing global interest in Zimbabwe as a tourism destination.

“The interest and engagement we’ve witnessed at the Zimbabwe Pavilion has been phenomenal. The turnout of over half a million people in two weeks is not just encouraging it’s historic,” he said.

The Expo, which began in April and runs until October, has so far attracted more than 11.5 million visitors.

Dr Munyanyiwa said Zimbabwe’s exhibition received overwhelming feedback from international visitors, travel agents and tour operators, with many expressing strong interest in the country’s tourism products and investment opportunities.

“The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. This is a clear signal that the Zimbabwe brand is gaining momentum and respect on the global stage,” he said.

He said the Pavilion showcased a wide range of the country’s tourism assets, including national parks, World Heritage Sites, traditional cuisine and cultural artefacts, while also offering virtual tours and investment briefings.

“We are not just marketing destinations , we are building bridges. Our participation here shows that Zimbabwe is open for tourism, investment, and partnerships,” he said.

Dr Munyanyiwa said several engagements were held with international tourism players, particularly from the Asian market, and that tangible results were expected to emerge from the exposure.

“We have established meaningful connections with several Asian and international tourism players who have expressed interest in partnering with us,” he said.

“The outcomes of these engagements will be felt back home in the form of increased tourist arrivals and investment.”

He said Zimbabwe’s participation at the Expo was part of the government’s broader strategy to reposition the country as a leading tourism destination under the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy and Vision 2030.

“This Pavilion reflects the government’s strong resolve, under the government, to position Zimbabwe as a premier tourism destination through consistent global presence and strategic visibility,” said Dr Munyanyiwa.

The Expo is running under the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives and has attracted participation from over 150 countries.