Harare, July 2026 — The Cabinet’s approval of the Zimbabwe Gastronomy Tourism Strategy (2026–2030) marks a revolutionary milestone in the nation’s tourism agenda. For the first time, gastronomy — the art and culture of food — has been elevated as a priority high-value tourism product, designed to accelerate Zimbabwe’s transformation into a competitive and sustainable destination by 2030.  

Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, has played a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s gastronomy tourism agenda through her celebrated Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition. Launched in 2019, the initiative showcases Zimbabwe’s rich culinary heritage and empowers women, youth, and community cooks across all provinces. Her leadership has earned international recognition, including being named Queen of Gastronomy for Africa by the United Nations Tourism for championing indigenous cuisine and sustainable tourism. Working closely with Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi, Dr. Mnangagwa’s cookout competitions have become cultural festivals that preserve traditional recipes, promote inclusivity, and align seamlessly with Zimbabwe’s Gastronomy Tourism Strategy (2026–2030), positioning food as both an economic driver and a symbol of national identity. 

Food in Zimbabwe is more than sustenance; it is a cultural language rooted in Ubuntu, where sharing meals embodies care, hospitality, and unity. By institutionalising gastronomy tourism, Zimbabwe is positioning its culinary heritage as both an economic driver and a cultural preservation tool.  

The strategy promises mean an economic transformation by linking tourism with agriculture, manufacturing, and rural communities. Inclusive growth with opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Global recognition through branding Zimbabwe as a gastronomy hub in Africa.  

The framework rests on four pillars; 
Skills Development – Establishing the Africa International Academy for Culinary Arts and reviving Service Excellence Schools.
Research & Innovation – Partnering with academia and communities to modernize culinary practices.
Branding & Marketing – Promoting Zimbabwe’s gastronomy brand globally.
Culture & Heritage Preservation – Safeguarding indigenous food knowledge and elevating traditional cuisine.  

Since assuming office, Minister Barbara Rwodzi has spearheaded reforms that have reshaped Zimbabwe’s tourism sector. She was appointed one of the Vice-Presidents of the UN Tourism General Assembly, representing the African region alongside Nigeria during the opening of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Saudi Arabia.

She was named Best Performing Cabinet Minister of 2025 at Zimbabwe’s Performance Evaluation Awards, crowned Tourism Minister of the Year (Africa at ITB Berlin 2026), recognising her continental impact.  

She also introduced a 12-cluster model expanding tourism beyond wildlife to include gastronomy, medical, cultural, sports, and adventure tourism.  Initiatives such as the Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competitions have empowered women, youth, and persons with disabilities, fostering enterprise development.  She also strengthened Zimbabwe’s international profile through active participation in UN Tourism platforms and global expos like ITB Berlin.  

Rwodzi also championed cultural festivals and decentralised the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo to provinces, ensuring tourism benefits reach grassroots communities.  Advocated for luxury infrastructure projects (e.g., Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls) and climate-resilient tourism policies.  

With the Gastronomy Tourism Strategy now approved, Zimbabwe is set to, boost tourism receipts and investment inflows, create sustainable jobs across rural and urban communities, and position Zimbabwe as Africa’s gastronomy hub, complementing its reputation as “A World of Natural Wonders.”  

Minister Rwodzi’s achievements demonstrate how visionary leadership can reposition tourism as a pillar of national development, blending cultural heritage with modern innovation. The Gastronomy Tourism Strategy is not only a policy framework — it is a national movement that will redefine Zimbabwe’s place in global tourism.