Mashonaland West Province possesses a highly diversified tourism sector anchored by unique natural attractions, cultural heritage sites, and expanding hospitality infrastructure. The province benefits from iconic destinations such as Lake Kariba, Matusadona and Mana Pools National Parks, one of Zimbabwe’s World Heritage Sites as well as Chinhoyi Caves and the scenic Mutorashanga Green Pools. These attractions, supported by recreational parks like Mazvikadei, Manyame, and Mhondoro-Ngezi, offer strong potential for growth in adventure tourism, ecotourism, cultural tourism, and water-based activities. Accommodation facilities such as Kadoma Rainbow Hotel, Caribea Bay, CUT Hotel, and the newly opened VTU Platinum Lodges, together with 124 hotels/lodges, 31 houseboats, and 29 conference rooms, position the province as a rising Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) hub.
Despite contributing 6.10% to provincial GDP in 2024, the tourism sector has the capacity to expand significantly through strategic investment in product development and infrastructure. Current opportunities identified include the construction of new hotels and lodges to increase room capacity, modernization of Kariba Airport and district airstrips, development of integrated resort facilities, and enhancement of emerging attractions such as Chidzuwi Pools, Mutorashanga Green Pools, and Chinhoyi Caves. The province also hosts vibrant cultural and sporting events such as the Nyaminyami Festival, Lake Kariba Marathon, Odsey Kadoma Festival, and Korekore Cultural Festival all of which can be leveraged to increase domestic and international arrivals. Supported by government incentives for capital investment and improved road connectivity, Mashonaland West stands poised to become a major driver of Zimbabwe’s vision for a US$5 billion tourism economy.