Zimbabwe named World's best country to visit in 2025 by Forbes

Published: 2 hours ago

Zimbabwe has been crowned the world's best country to visit in 2025, according to Forbes magazine, a recognition that underscores the nation's growing appeal as a premium international tourist destination.

The accolade comes as Zimbabwe's tourism sector continues to thrive despite global challenges. In 2024, the country recorded over 1.6 million international arrivals, generating US$1.2 billion in receipts and attracting US$190.5 million in investments, according to a government ministry report released in September.

Forbes described Zimbabwe as "a mosaic of rugged wild terrain and deep ancestral heritage—where jagged granite outcrops rise above sun-scorched golden plains and skies stretch wide over rustling acacia groves." The report highlighted iconic sites such as Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe Monument, and the Eastern Highlands as must-visit destinations for tourists seeking wellness travel, city hopping, and low-intensity exploration.

"The ancient stone city of Great Zimbabwe stands as a powerful reminder of the country's layered past, its dry-stone walls steeped in centuries-old history," Forbes said. "Meanwhile, at Victoria Falls, the Zambezi crashes into thunderous gorges below—sending mist into the air that often catches the sun in fleeting rainbows. The Eastern Highlands, however, offer a quieter scene: cloud-covered slopes, winding hiking trails, and pockets of mist-laced mountain stillness."

Data from travel platform KAYAK shows flight searches to Bulawayo have increased by more than 80 percent this year, while Harare recorded a 56 percent rise, indicating strong international interest. Other countries featured on Forbes' top tourist destinations list include Lithuania, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Argentina, Morocco, and Norway.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi welcomed the recognition, describing it as both an endorsement of Zimbabwe's tourism brand and a testament to the country's safety and stability. "We are overjoyed by the acknowledgement from Forbes and global travel experts. This confirms that Zimbabwe is a safe, peaceful, war-free tourist destination," she said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently highlighted tourism as a key driver of economic growth, employment creation, and foreign exchange generation. Cabinet recently approved the review of licences, permits, levies, and fees in the sector as part of reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and enhancing Zimbabwe's competitiveness in the global tourism market.

Analysts say the Forbes recognition reflects the country's diverse natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and resilient tourism sector. Dereck Goto, a Harare-based analyst, noted that Zimbabwe offers "an authentic African experience that is increasingly resonating with global travellers seeking meaningful and sustainable tourism."

Kudzai Mutisi, another industry analyst, described the recognition as the start of a golden era for the sector. "After two decades of negative publicity sponsored by anti-Zimbabwe forces, President Mnangagwa's Government embarked on a sustained campaign to market Zimbabwe as a premium tourism destination. These efforts are now paying dividends, and the hidden gem called Zimbabwe is now the talk of the world," he said.

With social media and international travel publications continuing to spotlight Zimbabwe's attractions, the country is poised to cement its position as a leading global tourism destination.
- The Herald

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