At a Glance
- Accor launches first Novotel in Zimbabwe, boosting Victoria Falls hospitality growth.
- New 111-room hotel targets midscale tourism and sustainable travel in Southern Africa.
- Victoria Falls gains global attention amid Africa’s rising eco-tourism investment boom.
Accor, the global hospitality group behind brands such as Sofitel and Pullman, is bringing its Novotel brand to Zimbabwe for the first time, marking a major milestone for tourism investment in Southern Africa.
Announced at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa, the planned Novotel Victoria Falls will open in 2028 in partnership with Eagle Real Estate Investment Trust.
The 111-room hotel will rise in the Eagle Heights precinct, overlooking the Masuwe River and minutes from Victoria Falls—one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Victoria Falls tourism gets midscale boost
The project targets rising demand for midscale, family-friendly hotels in Africa’s top tourism corridors.
Designed to blend modern comfort with natural beauty, the hotel will offer key amenities including: A child-friendly kids’ club. All-day dining with local and global cuisine. A scenic bar and outdoor pool.
The move is part of a larger push to position Victoria Falls as a year-round destination, drawing families, business travelers, and eco-tourists beyond just seasonal adventurers.
Global hotel chains eye Zimbabwe’s untapped potential
Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”), continues to attract international attention for its unique mix of natural allure and underdeveloped infrastructure.
The entry of a global brand like Novotel signals confidence in Zimbabwe’s long-term tourism growth, especially amid rising global interest in authentic, sustainable travel experiences.
The Accor-Eagle REIT partnership adds momentum to a broader trend: international hotel groups targeting underserved African markets with scalable, branded properties designed for diverse travelers.
A Strategic bet on sustainable, experience-led travel
The Novotel project is expected to catalyze more investment in Zimbabwe’s hospitality and eco-tourism sectors.
It also aligns with a wider industry pivot away from overdeveloped mass tourism hubs toward experience-led travel in emerging markets.
As global travel demand rebounds and travelers seek out new, immersive destinations, Victoria Falls—with a new international-standard hotel in the pipeline—could become a standout case of Africa’s rise in the premium travel economy.
