Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is basking in global glory following Forbes Magazine’s recognition of the country as the Best Destination to Visit in 2025.
This prestigious international accolade is hailed as a resounding affirmation of the nation’s tourism revival, and growing international confidence in Brand Zimbabwe.
It is a clear testimony that the country is firmly back on the global tourism map. It is ready to welcome the world with warmth, pride, and renewed confidence.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Barbara Rwodzi, expressed pride in Zimbabwe’s recent Forbes listing, describing it as more than an honour — a global endorsement of the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement policy and its “Open for Business” mantra.
“This recognition celebrates our leadership, our people, and our commitment to making Zimbabwe a great destination again,” she said.
Rwodzi credited the achievement to sustained government efforts and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s aggressive marketing drive, positioning the country as a peaceful, welcoming, and must-visit destination. She highlighted tourism’s role in showcasing Zimbabwe’s stability, warmth, and cultural diversity, noting it promotes the nation as “war-free, crime-free, and full of hardworking people”.
Under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and NDS2, tourism remains key to achieving Vision 2030. In 2024, Zimbabwe recorded over 1,6 million international arrivals — evidence of strong post-pandemic recovery.
To sustain this momentum, a 12-cluster diversification strategy was launched, spanning medical, gastronomy, cultural, and sports tourism.
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Gastronomy Tourism, led by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, gained international acclaim after hosting Africa’s first UN Gastronomy Conference in Victoria Falls. Meanwhile, the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo continues to promote all provinces, with Victoria Falls remaining Zimbabwe’s flagship attraction.
The Trauma Centre Borrowdale & Critical Care Hospital demonstrated this leadership by scooping the Best Medical Facility Stand Award at the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi Travel Expo 2025 in Mutare recently.
The Trauma Centre made a notable impact and affirming its role in advancing this medical tourism cluster.
The facility, located in Harare, is led by the experienced medical doctor Vivek Solanki and provides a comprehensive suite of world-class medical services that match or even surpass those sought outside the country.
Solanki affirmed the institution’s commitment to not only serving Zimbabwe but positioning the nation as a regional medical hub.
“The Trauma Centre Borrowdale participated in the World Tourism Expo in Mutare with pride and patriotism. We treat not only patients from Zimbabwe, but also from many other countries around the world. We are pushing for medical tourism, for medical cases, for surgical services, for regenerative medicine, aesthetics, kidney problems, and dialysis patients to come to Zimbabwe for treatment and therapies,” said Dr Solanki.
“The Trauma Centre offers a wide gamut of services, showcasing its capability as a full-spectrum medical centre with Cardiac Care: The facility boasts a state-of-the-art Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath-Lab)—the first in Zimbabwe — for coronary angiography and coronary stenting. This pioneering unit allows for life-saving cardiac interventions, and more recently, open-heart surgery and other complex cardiac procedures available.
l Regenerative Medicine: A key focus area, this specialised unit provides innovative solutions for chronic conditions, including autism, rheumatoid arthritis, and various autoimmune disorders and vitamin deficiencies.
This advanced field of medicine is a significant draw for international patients.
Specialised Surgery is a unit in the centre. The hospital performs complex procedures including neurosurgery, keyhole surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics, and paediatric surgery.
l Renal Care: The group operates a large, dedicated Mt Pleasant Dialysis Clinic, catering specifically to patients with kidney problems in a serene environment, providing essential and affordable chronic care.
Late October, the Dialysis Clinic was honoured to receive the Super Platinum Award for Excellence in Dialysis, presented by the Zimbabwe CEO Network at a black-tie event hosted at Hyatt Meikles Hotel, Harare.
l Emergency and Travel Medicine: The centre operates a 24/7 emergency unit, supported by a dedicated ambulance service.
“Crucially for tourism, the Airport Clinic at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, provides immediate emergency care, general medical assistance, travel vaccinations, and Aviation Medical Assessments for professionals, ensuring travellers’ health needs are met from the moment they arrive,” said Solanki.
The wellness-recovery model is a unique aspect of Zimbabwe’s medical tourism proposition. It is the integration of high quality healthcare with the country’s natural splendor.
Solanki, recommends serene environments to reduce stress, promote healing, improve mood, and enhance patient experience.
“While patients are here during the recovery period, they can also go on a safari tour to our various national parks, the Victoria Falls, boosting the splendid Mbano Manor Hotel, the Great Zimbabwe in Masvingo, the serene Eastern Highlands ... all these places promote healing. They then come back for their check-ups before going back to their homes,” Solanki explained.
This “medical safari” concept allows patients to combine complex treatment with a recovery period in one of the world’s most peaceful and beautiful settings, a significant competitive advantage.
Marketing head, Wendy Olivier, emphasised that the Best Health Stand accolade provides valuable exposure and strengthens their efforts to forge regional and international partnerships.
By supporting and promoting medical tourism in Zimbabwe, Trauma Centre is uniquely positioned to offer world-class aesthetic and medical services to visitors who also wish to experience our breathtaking game parks, luxury lodges, and natural wonders — firmly reinforcing Zimbabwe’s status as one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world.
The success story of Trauma Centre Borrowdale, coupled with the government’s commitment to private-public partnerships in health, underscores the belief that world-class treatment is available right at home, eliminating the need for Zimbabweans and regional patients to travel abroad.
The interconnected units — from the airport clinic and ambulance services to the main hospital — provide a seamless service for both tourists and medical travellers, easing their journey and ensuring superior patient outcomes.
