Tourism Industry Stalwart Paul Matamisa Retires After Five Decades of Service

Paul Matamisa, former CEO of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe

Paul Matamisa, the long-serving chief executive officer of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ), has retired after more than a decade at the helm of the industry’s apex private-sector body, bringing to a close a distinguished 50-year career in hospitality and tourism. Matamisa officially retired at the end of January, marking the end of an era for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, where he is widely regarded as one of its most experienced and influential figures.

His career spans some of the country’s most iconic hospitality brands, including Meikles Hotel, African Sun, and Cresta Hotels, where he held senior management roles over several decades. Beyond corporate leadership, Matamisa also served as president of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ), playing a central role in industry advocacy and policy engagement during periods of both growth and crisis.

In the 1990s, Matamisa and his wife, Pedia, ventured into entrepreneurship, running their own hospitality group at a time when the sector was undergoing structural transformation. His professional journey was underpinned by formal education and training in Zimbabwe and Germany, giving him a blend of local insight and international exposure that shaped his leadership style. A longstanding Rotarian, Matamisa is also recognised for his commitment to ethical leadership and mentorship within the tourism and business community.

During his tenure at TBCZ, he steered the organisation through some of the most turbulent periods in Zimbabwe’s tourism history, including economic instability, declining international arrivals, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Colleagues credit him with maintaining industry cohesion and ensuring consistent engagement between government and the private sector. Announcing the retirement, TBCZ president Clive Chinwada paid tribute to Matamisa’s contribution to both the council and the broader tourism industry.

“With Mr Matamisa’s retirement comes the end of an era, and we thank him for his long, distinguished and dedicated service to the TBCZ and to the sector,” Chinwada said.

Chinwada added that while Matamisa is stepping down from day-to-day responsibilities, his institutional knowledge will remain accessible.

“We are pleased to note that we are able to call on him for advice and for any tasks we may call upon him to perform in the future, but we wish him well in his much-deserved retirement.”

Pending the appointment of a substantive chief executive, the TBCZ board has appointed operations executive Christopher Sithole as acting CEO, ensuring continuity in leadership as the council transitions into its next phase.

Paul Matamisa's retirement; TBCZ CEO retires