By Dickson Bandera
VICTORIA FALLS – Zimbabwe’s tourism sector continues to record growing investor confidence, with enhanced air connectivity opening the country’s skies to more regional and international travellers in line with the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda.
The latest milestone was marked by the arrival of Fastjet Zimbabwe’s new 168-seat Airbus A320 in Victoria Falls, a significant investment expected to strengthen the country’s airlift capacity while improving regional connectivity through the Victoria Falls–Johannesburg and Harare–Johannesburg routes.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, Deputy Minister Hon. Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa said the investment demonstrates increasing confidence in Destination Zimbabwe and reflects the positive impact of Government policies aimed at modernising transport infrastructure and positioning Zimbabwe as a globally competitive tourism destination under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
He said improved air access is opening Zimbabwe’s skies to more visitors, making travel easier and more convenient while supporting the continued growth of the country’s tourism industry.
The introduction of the Airbus A320 is expected to increase tourist arrivals, stimulate business travel and strengthen key tourism clusters including Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), sports tourism, nature and wildlife tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, as well as religious tourism.
Hon. Mnangagwa noted that tourism and aviation are closely linked, with every additional flight and airline seat creating new opportunities for hotels, tour operators, transport providers, local businesses and communities that benefit from tourism.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to upgrading airport infrastructure, expanding air connectivity and working closely with industry players on destination marketing as Zimbabwe prepares to host the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo 2026 in Masvingo.
The expansion by Fastjet is another major vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector and highlights the success of the country’s Open Skies approach, which continues to attract airline investment, improve accessibility and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations.
