VICTORIA FALLS — Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is set for a significant boost following the announcement that The Lux Collective, a global hospitality group backed by Chinese partners, will develop a luxury lodge estate along the Zambezi River.
The new project, named LUX Xinii Victoria Falls*, is scheduled to open in 2028 and marks the company’s second venture in Southern Africa after its Botswana development, LUX* Xinii Mababe.
The Victoria Falls property will begin with the construction of 12 luxury lodges designed with conical, African-inspired roofs engineered for natural cooling and rainwater harvesting. A second phase will introduce 14 additional lodges, along with a restaurant and swimming pool, creating a high-end eco-luxury destination in close proximity to one of the world’s great natural attractions.
The announcement forms part of The Lux Collective’s wider global expansion, with the Group confirming seven new hotel signings for 2025. The development pipeline spans Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and Africa, reflecting an ambitious growth strategy anchored in sustainable design and culturally grounded hospitality.
According to Chief Executive Officer Olivier Chavy, the company’s aim is to redefine the future of conscious luxury travel by embracing experiences that resonate deeply with modern travellers.
The expansion includes major new investments in China, where the Group will open LUX* Tea Horse Road Mount Tiantai in Sichuan in early 2027. This development will add to its existing Tea Horse Road portfolio and features accommodation both within a historic town and on surrounding high-altitude tea plantations near Chengdu.
The company is also preparing to launch LUX* On The Bund Shanghai in Q1 2027, marking its entry into China’s commercial capital with a boutique waterfront resort offering spacious rooms, a private marina, fine dining spaces, a rooftop bar and advanced wellness facilities.
Beyond China and Southern Africa, The Lux Collective’s strengthened global pipeline encompasses 16 properties under development, including new luxury projects in Vietnam, Bali, Dubai, Oman, Mauritius and additional Chinese cities. The company continues to expand its LUX*, SALT and SOCIO brands, demonstrating growing international confidence in its approach to eco-friendly, design-focused hospitality.
The introduction of LUX* Xinii Victoria Falls is expected to position Zimbabwe as a competitive player in the high-end tourism market, signalling increasing international interest in Victoria Falls as a destination for luxury, sustainability-driven travel experiences.
