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The Zimbabwean delegation, led by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke, agreed with the Chinese companies that the focus will be on investment in the hotel industry.
“We negotiated and agreed with the 80 companies that they will visit the country before April. They have to see the situation on the ground and we are happy that there will be a lot of investment in the hotel industry.
“It was a hectic process but we managed to convince the Chinese about our seriousness since were among the only four African countries to participate at the conference.
“The major focus will be on the hotel industry and that includes construction of new hotels, lodges and related facilities that should improve our tourist handling capacity,’’ said Mr Kaseke.
Zimbabwe, which has about 2 000 hotel beds, is in dire need of more hotel beds to enable it to host huge international conferences, such as those by the United Nations World Tourism Council.
“We took advantage of the opportunity presented by the gathering at the conference to reinforce our new brand, Zimbabwe, a World of Wonders, since we had already launched it in Beijing late last year.
“We need more hotel beds but what is important is that by accepting to work with us in this investment, the 80 Chinese companies have endorsed us as a brand.
“In a world in which everyone is looking East, China is a very important market for us and has millions of people going on holiday every year. They are a good source market,’’ said Mr Kaseke.
Since the launch of the Look East Policy a few years ago, Zimbabwe has made significant inroads into the Chinese market through the perception management programme, and is now ranked the fourth African tourist destination by the Chinese after Egypt, South Africa and Kenya.-The Herald
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