By Caroline Washaya-Moyo
Zimbabwe is positioning technology and artificial intelligence (AI) at the centre of its tourism growth strategy as the country moves to harness digital innovation to transform visitor experiences, strengthen competitiveness and drive inclusive economic development.
Speaking at the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani Scholastic Tourism Conference in Masvingo, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Dr Frederick Shava, said the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents Zimbabwe with an opportunity to redesign its tourism value chain while creating new opportunities for young innovators, businesses and communities.
The conference is being held under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence: Redesigning the Future of Tourism,” which aligns with the United Nations World Tourism Day 2026 theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.”
Tourism Growth Creates New Opportunities
Dr Shava said the conference comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is recording significant growth.
International tourist arrivals increased by 11 percent in the first quarter of 2026 to 384,515, while tourism receipts surged by 14 percent to an estimated US$251 million.
Domestic tourism also strengthened considerably, with domestic trips rising by 35 percent to 2.62 million.
According to Dr Shava, the figures demonstrate Zimbabwe’s growing appeal as a tourism destination and provide a strong foundation for accelerating digital transformation across the sector.
Zimbabwe was also recognised among the world’s top tourism destinations by Forbes in 2025 and received the “Destination of the Year for Natural Wonders” accolade at ITB Berlin 2026.
AI to Redesign the Tourism Journey
Dr Shava said technology is increasingly influencing the entire tourism journey, with travellers now relying heavily on digital platforms to research destinations, make bookings, navigate attractions and share their experiences.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming this journey through personalised recommendations, dynamic pricing, chatbots, predictive analytics, smart destination management and immersive virtual experiences.
Countries that successfully integrate digital tools and AI throughout their tourism value chains are better positioned to attract visitors, increase length of stay, diversify revenue and protect natural and cultural heritage.
“Zimbabwe must be among those countries,” Dr Shava said.
Government Frameworks Provide the Roadmap
Dr Shava said Zimbabwe was not approaching digital transformation without a clear roadmap, with Government having laid a strong foundation through several strategic frameworks under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), covering 2026 to 2030, provides a strategic framework anchored on product diversification, digital connectivity, infrastructure modernisation, heritage valorisation and international marketing excellence.
The Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Masterplan further seeks to integrate digital technology across sectors of the economy, while the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030 provides a blueprint for AI adoption, governance and capacity development.
Dr Shava said the Scholastic Tourism Conference was therefore not merely an academic gathering, but a practical mechanism for implementing these national frameworks while strengthening tourism as a priority economic sector.
Education 5.0 to Drive Tourism Innovation
Central to the conference is the concept of Heritage-Based Education 5.0, which seeks to translate knowledge and research into practical solutions that address national challenges.
Dr Shava said institutions of higher learning possess the talent required to drive the transformation, with students and academics drawn from computer science, engineering, business, hospitality, design and the creative arts.
He said the Scholastica Innovation Competition was designed to channel this talent towards practical, locally relevant AI-enabled solutions capable of modernising tourism marketing, visitor experiences, destination management and the wider tourism business ecosystem.
The multidisciplinary composition of participating teams, combining ICT, business, hospitality and creative disciplines, was particularly encouraging, he said.
Four Innovation Tracks Target Tourism Challenges
Now in its second edition, the Scholastica Innovation Competition has introduced four tracks addressing different aspects of tourism’s digital transformation.
AI-Powered Visitor Experience
The first track focuses on AI-powered chatbots, virtual tour guides, personalised itinerary generators, translation and accessibility tools, as well as augmented and virtual reality experiences for heritage and wildlife sites.
Smart Destination and Marketing
The second track focuses on AI-powered destination marketing platforms, predictive analytics for tourist flows and demand forecasting, dynamic pricing tools and sentiment analysis of visitor reviews and social media.
Digital Tourism Enterprise and Inclusion
The third track seeks to connect small and community-based tourism operators to markets through digital platforms, mobile payment and booking integration, as well as AI tools supporting informal and rural tourism enterprises.
Sustainability, Safety and Heritage
The fourth track focuses on AI applications for wildlife and environmental monitoring, crowd and safety management at tourism sites, and the digital preservation of cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge.
Dr Shava said the four tracks demonstrate the breadth of opportunities presented by AI while reinforcing Government’s commitment to ensuring that digital transformation contributes to inclusive growth.
Young Innovators Urged to Lead
Dr Shava challenged universities and colleges to become innovation hubs where students, regardless of their background or ability, can contribute to national development.
He urged institutions to expand research into AI applications in tourism, work with local authorities to implement pilot projects and prioritise disciplines that equip graduates with skills in digital design, data science and technology entrepreneurship.
Students taking part in the competition were told they were not merely participants, but “architects of Zimbabwe’s digital future.”
Their presentations, Dr Shava said, represented potential blueprints for action, with some of the ideas capable of developing into start-ups under the Ministry’s innovation initiatives.
Public-Private Partnerships Key to Scaling Innovation
Industry leaders were also challenged to invest in, mentor and scale innovations emerging from young Zimbabwean innovators.
Dr Shava cited the partnership between NetOne and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, anchored on NDS2 and Vision 2030, as an example of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together.
He called for similar partnerships to be replicated throughout the tourism value chain.
Policymakers were meanwhile urged to continue creating an enabling environment through incentives for digital tourism innovation and the enforcement of standards that guarantee quality and security in the digital tourism space.
As Zimbabwe seeks to consolidate tourism’s contribution to national economic development under NDS2, Dr Shava’s message was clear: AI and digital innovation must move beyond the classroom and become practical tools for building a smarter, more competitive and inclusive Zimbabwean tourism industry.
