Towards Gender and Disability Inclusive Tourism Development in Zimbabwe: Insights Through Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal reference point to benchmark inclusive tourism development. However, there is scant scholarly attention on the intersectionality of gender parity and disability in the context of inclusive tourism development in developing countries in Africa. Using interpretive research methods, this chapter examines the progress that Zimbabwean tourism has made towards the achievement of gender equality and disability inclusion in tourism development through the broad precinct lens of Agenda 2030. Data were collected through document analysis and key informant interview techniques involving tourism stakeholders selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Findings show that significant progress has been made towards attaining gender equality through increased women’s representation on corporate boards and executive management levels in the tourism industry. However, the same cannot be said regarding the inclusivity of people with disabilities as they were found to be marginalised. Therefore, the application of the intersectionality perspective regarding the approach to gender and disability in tourism development in Zimbabwe is rather limited and is required. This chapter concludes that there is a mismatch between policy and practice, which continues to undermine and eclipse progress around the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and inclusive tourism development.