The Board of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has announced the appointment of Dr. George Munyaradzi Manyaya as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 February 2026, in a move expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s tourism leadership and global destination positioning.
Dr. Manyaya brings to the role an impressive blend of academic excellence, strategic leadership and extensive experience across multiple tourism-enabling sectors. He holds a Doctorate in Business Management, a Master of Science in International Relations, a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. In addition, he possesses professional qualifications in Mass Communication, Diplomacy and Regulation, underscoring his strong grounding in policy engagement, stakeholder relations and public communication.
Over the years, Dr. Manyaya has built a distinguished career spanning aviation, transport, telecommunications, energy, mining, banking and the United Nations system, where he worked with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Prior to his appointment at ZTA, Dr. Manyaya served at ZESA Holdings as General Manager for Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, where he led strategic branding initiatives and strengthened institutional engagement with key partners. He is widely recognised as a marketing and communications strategist, with a track record of driving organisational visibility, reputation management and stakeholder confidence.
Dr. Manyaya also brings significant boardroom experience, having served and continuing to serve on several boards in both the public and private sectors. Notably, he is the Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA), where he has overseen successful rebranding, governance reforms and modernisation initiatives, enhancing institutional efficiency and public trust.
His credentials within the tourism sector are equally notable. Dr. Manyaya was appointed a Tourism Brand Ambassador and served on the Organising Committee of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly, which was successfully co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Dr. Manyaya’s mandate will focus on positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive and attractive tourist destination, both regionally and globally. His responsibilities include driving tourism development, enforcing industry standards, generating and managing tourism intelligence, coordinating public and private sector stakeholders, and facilitating sustainable investment to support national economic growth.
The ZTA Board expressed confidence that Dr. Manyaya’s leadership will inject renewed strategic direction into the Authority at a time when Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is seeking to consolidate gains, diversify markets and enhance product quality. His appointment comes as the country continues to leverage its rich natural attractions, cultural heritage and growing infrastructure to strengthen tourism’s contribution to employment creation and foreign exchange earnings.
