FUTURE LEADERS CHALLENGE ZIMBABWE 2025 SETS THE STAGE FOR A NEW GENERATION OF HOSPITALITY VISIONARIES

The Future Leaders Challenge Zimbabwe 2025 will take place on 25 August at Cresta Oasis Hotel in Harare. Designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in tourism and hospitality, this bold initiative is reshaping the narrative around human capital in Zimbabwe’s travel sector. 

At a time when infrastructure and investment often dominate the conversation, the Future Leaders Challenge (FLC) offers a different lens: one that puts people at the heart of long-term industry success. Founded by Hubert Umels CEO of GameChangers and spearheaded by Luckson Zambuko, Country Manager for FLC Zimbabwe and Founder of the African Youth in Tourism and Hospitality Association, the challenge aims to empower young Zimbabweans with the skills, mentorship, and vision to lead the sector into the future. 

FLC Zimbabwe is not simply a competition. It is a leadership incubator that brings together aspiring tourism entrepreneurs, hotel managers, destination marketers, sustainability champions, and service innovators.

Through experiential learning, direct engagement with real-world challenges, and interaction with top-tier industry executives, participants are encouraged to reimagine what Zimbabwean and African hospitality can become. 

The programme invites young minds to confront some of the most pressing questions in the industry: 

• How do we reimagine domestic tourism for a younger demographic?

• What does an authentically African model of luxury look like?

• How do we integrate indigenous knowledge and technology in guest experiences?

• What are the gaps in our talent pipeline, and how do we bridge them?

“Tourism in Zimbabwe has immense cultural and economic value,” said Jillian Blackbeard, CEO of Africa’s Eden and a newly appointed board member of the Future Leaders Challenge. “Africa’s Eden is proud to support initiatives like FLC that recognise talent development as the most strategic investment a destination can make.”

FLC Zimbabwe is supported by global and regional hospitality leaders including Radisson Hotel Group, Hilton, Cresta Hotels, Accor, and strategic partners such as Africa’s Eden, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, GameChangers, and Coghlan Hospitality. 

 “By investing in youth, we are not just creating future employees; we are nurturing ambassadors of culture, innovation, and service excellence,” added Blackbeard. “This aligns directly with Africa’s Eden’s commitment to development and regional leadership.” 

In addition to empowering youth, the event serves as a platform for broader industry engagement. From investors and HR leaders to educators and destination marketers, stakeholders will converge to share ideas and strategies, making FLC a vital touchpoint for shaping the future of tourism in Zimbabwe and beyond.  Africa’s Eden remains committed to supporting visionary initiatives that champion human capital, drive sustainable tourism development, and celebrate African excellence in the global travel arena.