Jonathan Sibanda
VICTORIA FALLS — Zimbabwe’s leading tourism destination is set to expand its luxury hospitality offering with the launch of Albida – Victoria Falls, a new all-inclusive boutique retreat expected to open on September 1, 2026.
The development, launched under the Africa Albida Tourism Victoria Falls Safari Collection, comes as global travel trends increasingly shift toward private, high-end and experience-driven tourism.
The retreat will feature 13 private villas, including luxury units with plunge pools and curated destination experiences aimed at international travellers seeking exclusive hospitality offerings.
Speaking to Matabeleland Pulse, Africa Albida Sales and Marketing Director Anald Musonza said the project reflects changing international travel patterns and growing confidence in Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe as premium tourism destinations.
“We are seeing quite a big shift in international travel where this luxury high-end market is growing,” said Musonza.
He said travellers are increasingly prioritising destinations regarded as safe, exclusive and capable of offering personalised luxury experiences.
“You have people with options,” he said. “At the moment, with high flight costs and instability in some traditional travel markets, travellers are redirecting towards destinations that are seen as safe spaces.”
Musonza said Victoria Falls and the wider Southern African region are benefiting from those global shifts, with some travellers reconsidering destinations in the Middle East in favour of alternatives perceived as safer and more stable.
“Victoria Falls in Southern Africa is becoming an option which is very safe and offering high-end facilities like ourselves,” he said.
He added that the destination’s status as one of the world’s leading natural attractions continues to strengthen international demand.
“People have always wanted to come here, but right now demand is accelerating because some areas they could easily travel to before are no longer considered safe,” he said.
Musonza said the investment also reflects private sector confidence in Zimbabwe’s tourism industry and broader economic ambitions under Vision 2030.
“From an investment perspective, it shows our own confidence as a business in our destination and in our country in growing the tourism business offering,” he said.
He added that the project aligns with efforts to create employment opportunities while positioning Victoria Falls competitively within the regional luxury tourism market.
Industry observers say developments such as Albida – Victoria Falls are part of a broader trend reshaping Victoria Falls into a premium tourism destination capable of attracting higher-spending global travellers seeking exclusive African experiences.
