Bulawayo— The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has placed the implementation of a Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) at the forefront of its 2027 National Budget priorities, requesting a core allocation of $2 million to fund a comprehensive data overhaul.

Presenting the ministry’s response to the 2027 budget recommendations at the ZITF Grounds in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi outlined four strategic pillars aimed at building a resilient and inclusive tourism economy in alignment with Vision 2030.

“We are requesting $2 million as a core budget allocation for the Tourism Satellite Account, because field support and a full unphased survey rollout are absolutely required,” Minister Rwodzi said. She emphasized that the full implementation of the Visitor Exit Survey (VES) across all border posts is critical to accurately capture seasonal shifts in visitor arrivals and expenditure patterns.

To support this data-driven approach, the ministry plans to align domestic outbound tourism data collection with ongoing ZIMSTAT national household surveys. “We must align our data collection directly with national household surveys and secure co-financing through the Inter-Agency Tourism Statistics Committee,” she added.

Beyond statistics, the 2027 budget priorities emphasize expanding tourism clusters and completing key aviation projects. The ministry has identified the rehabilitation of Kariba Airport as a key national budget focus. “Kariba Airport rehabilitation is prioritized for the 20th Edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo,” the minister stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to aviation infrastructure.

The budget response also highlights a push to mobilize private investment through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Bulk infrastructure development at Masuwe is cited as a catalyst for unlocking confidence among private-sector investors, while targeted diaspora engagements are planned to drive investment into rural communities.

Minister Rwodzi’s presentation also underscored significant milestones achieved by the ministry. Zimbabwe has been recognized as the Condé Nast 2026 Best Destination Natural Wonder, a testament to its growing global appeal.

In the M.I.C.E sector, the ministry reported remarkable progress on flagship infrastructure. In Victoria Falls, top-tier global brand entry is boosting room capacity, highlighted by the ongoing refurbishment of the iconic Kingdom Hotel to rebrand under the Grand Hyatt luxury standard, alongside the new Park Inn Radisson Hotel. In Harare, the ministry announced the completed construction of a state-of-the-art 2,000-seater Presidential Conference Centre and luxury villas.

Furthermore, the domestic market has shown robust growth. The ministry reported a 27 percent increase in domestic trips and a 31 percent surge in domestic hospitality revenue during the first half of the year.

To sustain this momentum, the ministry is partnering with the Public Service Commission to introduce affordable civil servant holiday packages and is upgrading accommodation facilities across national parks in partnership with ZimParks.

The ministry also noted completed whole-of-government approach upgrades, including the rehabilitation of airstrips at Grand Reef and Masvingo.