Culinary Tourism Fuels Zimbabwe Tourism Recovery

Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is experiencing renewed growth, with gastronomy and culinary experiences emerging as a key attraction for both local and international visitors.

This was highlighted at the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority  Annual General Meeting held in Harare, where officials said post-COVID-19 travel trends are increasingly centred on authentic cultural experiences, particularly food.

The authority’s Chief Executive Officer, George Manyaya, said culinary tourism is now playing a major role in boosting visitor numbers and spending. He stated

“Gastronomy and culinary tourism have been identified as some of the major contributors to the economic boom in Zimbabwe's tourism sector. Tourists are looking for authentic experiences, and food is central to that.”

Manyaya also stressed the importance of strict adherence to industry regulations, warning that compliance is essential for maintaining trust and safety in the sector. He said

“Compliance is not optional. It is the foundation of trust between the industry, visitors and regulators. We need every operator to meet the required standards so that Zimbabwe remains a safe and competitive destination.”

Officials noted that the post-pandemic tourism landscape is now driven more by experience-based travel, with food trails, farm-to-table dining, and cultural culinary events becoming increasingly popular. These trends are also helping to create opportunities for small producers and rural communities linked to tourism value chains.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority said it will continue strengthening oversight while promoting Zimbabwe’s culinary heritage in global marketing campaigns. The sector is expected to keep expanding into 2026, with gastronomy positioned as a central pillar of the country’s tourism growth strategy under Vision 2030.