Harare – The World Bank is expanding its support for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, focusing on regional connectivity, easier travel and youth employment, according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
World Bank Division Director for Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania Firas Raad met Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi in Harare to discuss the next phase of engagement. The meeting built on earlier World Bank assistance that improved border facilitation between Zimbabwe and Zambia, which officials said has made it easier for tourists to move between the two destinations.
The World Bank is now considering extending similar support to the Forbes Border Post to speed up the movement of people and cargo, a move expected to strengthen travel and trade that support tourism growth. 
Raad and Rwodzi also looked at ways to advance intra African tourism connectivity. The World Bank is working with UN Tourism and tourism ministers to improve linkages between African countries so visitors can more easily combine multiple destinations across the continent. The push aligns with Zimbabwe’s goal of deeper regional tourism integration and better access to destinations.
Discussions covered positioning tourism as a driver of youth employment, improving the sector’s readiness for natural disasters and climate related risks, and ensuring front line tourism and hospitality staff have service excellence skills.
