adminWorld Tourism Organisation general assembly is expected to attract hordes of tourists. ATA congress has attracted more than 500 delegates from as far as the United States of America and America itself has 62 delegates attending.
At least 16 government ministers from the region and beyond are expected to attend, while Vice President Joice Mujuru, will officially open the event tomorrow.
In an interview yesterday, ATA executive director, Mr Edward Bergman, said the event should enhance tourism arrivals from the United States and Europe — a development that is expected to boost revenue inflows.
Mr Bergman said as part of the preparations for ATA Victoria Falls, several activities such as road shows, publicity stunts and tourism exhibitions were held in the United
States of America over the past year in an effort to boost interest by the Americans to travel to the country.
“We are positive that the congress will be a major turnaround for the country. A number of activities have been held in the United States in an effort to boost interest for people there to travel to the country.
“It was decided to have the conference in Zimbabwe to allow international tourism delegates, travel and tour operators and the international media to have a better understanding of the situation in the country and what it has to offer in terms of tourism,” he said.
Mr Bergman added that the country was endowed with tourist attractions that would compare favourably with attractions in other countries.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority executive director for destination marketing Mrs Tessa Chikaponya also noted that the conference was important for the tourism sector as it will endorse the country as a safe tourist destination after years of negative publicity by the international media.
She said the congress was an opportunity for the country to re-launch the tourism brand especially to the source markets Europe and USA respectively.
“Various activities are expected to take place during the five day conference including the launch of Coronary Tourism which focuses on food. Chefs from the United States will be coming to work with local chefs to exchange ideas, a development which will see an introduction of new dishes in local hotels,” she said.
There are a wide range of networking events that have been lined up and these including receptions, gala dinners, a culture night featuring Oliver Mtukudzi and other artists, cultural festival at Mpisi village just outside Victoria Falls.
Meanwhile, Mrs Chikaponya said an ATA clinic had been put in place to offer free health care to locals in and around Victoria Falls.
ATA’s 36th Annual World Congress in Senegal was held in Dakar, Senegal, in May last year.
ATA is one of the leading global trade associations promoting travel and tourism to Africa and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships.
Established in 1975, ATA partners with the African Union Commission to promote the sustainable development of tourism across the continent.
Online Reporter