Zimbabwe has earned 1st Runner-Up honours in the Best International Stand category at the ongoing Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX) 2026, in recognition of its strong destination marketing and efforts to promote regional tourism integration.
The accolade highlights Zimbabwe’s growing profile as a key player in advancing Southern Africa as a connected tourism destination, while showcasing the country’s rich heritage, culture and gastronomy.
Through immersive cultural storytelling, the Zimbabwe stand attracted significant attention, featuring displays centred on the grandeur of Great Zimbabwe, one of the country’s most iconic cultural and historical landmarks.
Visitors were also treated to authentic culinary experiences featuring indigenous delicacies such as mhandire, mutetenerwa and maputi, offering a distinct taste of Zimbabwe’s cultural identity. The showcase demonstrated how the country’s living heritage continues to create unique, sustainable and memorable tourism experiences for both regional and international travellers.
In a statement, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry said the award represents a strong endorsement of Zimbabwe’s tourism promotion efforts and its growing competitiveness on the regional stage.
“Zimbabwe has proudly been awarded 1st Runner-Up in the Best International Stand category at the ongoing Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX) 2026, a remarkable recognition of the country’s Innovative Destination Marketing and commitment to Regional Tourism integration,” said the Ministry.
The Ministry said the recognition reflects Zimbabwe’s continued efforts to position itself as a competitive tourism destination while contributing to the broader goal of regional tourism growth and cooperation.
It added that the award highlights the importance of showcasing Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage and gastronomy as key components of the country’s tourism offering.
“This accolade underscores Zimbabwe’s role in advancing Southern Africa as a seamlessly connected regional tourism destination while celebrating the richness of its heritage, culture and gastronomy,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry further noted that the success of the Zimbabwe stand was driven by its ability to deliver authentic cultural narratives and immersive visitor experiences rooted in the country’s traditions and identity.
“Through immersive cultural storytelling, the Zimbabwe stand captivated visitors with the grandeur of Great Zimbabwe and authentic culinary experiences featuring indigenous delicacies such as mhandire, mutetenerwa and maputi,” the statement said.
The Ministry added that these experiences demonstrate how Zimbabwe’s living heritage continues to create unique, sustainable and memorable tourism experiences for both regional and international travellers.
The recognition at ZATEX 2026 further strengthens Zimbabwe’s profile as a leading tourism destination in the region and reflects the country’s commitment to promoting regional tourism integration through culture, heritage and authentic visitor experiences.
