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Victoria Falls to Host Three Back-to-Back UN Tourism Summits in Late April Victoria Falls to Host Three Back-to-Back UN Tourism Summits in Late April

Zimbabwe is about to step into the global spotlight in a way that carries both symbolic and commercial significance for the entire African travel industry. The country will host three major United Nations Tourism events running back-to-back at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls from 27 April to 1 May 2026. The gatherings are expected to draw approximately 1,500 international experts from across the tourism, policy, academic and development sectors, making it one of the largest concentrations of global tourism leadership on African soil this year.

The programme opens with the 23rd United Nations Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability on 27 and 28 April, followed immediately by a Sustainability-linked Pilot Capacity-Building Workshop on 28 and 29 April. That workshop is specifically designed to prepare the ground for the International Year of Resilient and Sustainable Tourism in 2027, a UN-designated year that will shape global tourism policy and investment priorities for the foreseeable future. The sequence closes with the 2nd United Nations Tourism Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Africa, running from 29 April to 1 May — a gathering that puts gender equity and female leadership in the African tourism economy firmly on the international agenda.

For the Zimbabwean government, securing all three events represents far more than a scheduling achievement. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Barbara Rwodzi described the decision by UN Tourism to choose Zimbabwe as both a political and diplomatic endorsement of the country as a destination. She made particular reference to the fact that Zimbabwe continues to operate under international sanctions, noting that for the United Nations to select the country for events of this importance sends a powerful message of confidence and recognition.

Information Minister Zhemu Soda framed the gatherings as a strategic milestone, saying they would position Zimbabwe as a top leader in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions tourism. That ambition is backed by tangible investment. The government has been working through its National Convention Bureau to drive Zimbabwe's participation in key global meetings and conferences, using international events as a vehicle to showcase the country's cultural richness, diverse landscapes and unique tourism offerings. Infrastructure development to support the growing MICE sector has also been flagged as a national priority.

The choice of Victoria Falls as the host city is both logical and strategic. Already recognised as one of Africa's most iconic destinations, the falls and their surrounding tourism ecosystem offer a ready-made stage for high-profile international gatherings. The Elephant Hills Resort, with its established conference facilities and proximity to the falls themselves, provides the kind of setting that combines professional functionality with the awe-inspiring natural beauty that only Africa can deliver.

What makes these particular events especially relevant for the African travel trade is their thematic focus. Sustainability and resilience are no longer abstract concepts debated at the margins of tourism conferences — they are rapidly becoming the benchmarks against which destinations, operators and investment decisions are measured. The capacity-building workshop taking place in Victoria Falls is designed to shape how the global industry approaches the 2027 International Year, meaning that the conversations held in Zimbabwe will directly influence policy frameworks and funding priorities that affect every tourism business on the continent.

The Women Empowerment Congress carries its own distinct importance. Across Africa, women make up a significant proportion of the tourism workforce, yet remain underrepresented in leadership, ownership and decision-making roles. A dedicated regional congress that brings together policymakers, industry leaders and practitioners to address that imbalance has the potential to generate real change — particularly if the outcomes translate into concrete programmes and commitments beyond the event itself.

Zimbabwe's broader tourism ambitions provide important context. The country has set itself a target of generating 10 billion US dollars from tourism by 2030,a goal that requires sustained growth in both leisure arrivals and business events. Hosting UN-level summits builds credibility, generates international media coverage and demonstrates to global buyers and conference organisers that Zimbabwe has the infrastructure, expertise and political will to deliver at the highest level.

For professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, the Victoria Falls summits offer a reminder that the MICE sector is one of the most powerful tools available for destination development. Every international event hosted on African soil creates economic activity, builds skills, generates media exposure and strengthens the networks that drive future business. Zimbabwe's success in securing these three gatherings should inspire other African destinations to pursue similar opportunities with confidence and ambition.