Online Reporter
Three high-level United Nations tourism meetings will be held in Zimbabwe between April 27 and May 1 this year. Zimbabwe’s tourism city, Victoria Falls will play host to the three world conferences which are the 23rd United Nations Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability (CTS), the 2nd United Nations Tourism Regional Congress on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism in Africa and the Pilot Capacity Building Workshop linked to the Committee on Tourism and Sustainability.
The selection of Zimbabwe to host these three important world conferences is yet another endorsement of Zimbabwe as a tourist destination of choice.
The tourism sector has during the past five years witnessed significant growth largely attributed to the country’s engagement and re-engagement policy guided by its mantra of being a friend to all and enemy to none. In 2024 Zimbabwe hosted the UN’s inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa.
The conference attracted more than 10 000 delegates from across the globe. The country continues to host high profile international conferences and sports tournaments as it consolidates its position as a member of the comity of nations. Zimbabwe is now a leader in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice) hence it does not hesitate to bid to host international conferences.
The 2024 gastronomy conference was the first gastronomy conference to be held on the African continent and as such Zimbabwe was a trailblazer in promoting brand Africa. Zimbabwe has played host to international sports tournaments such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B and Women Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
The hosting of these world conferences and sports tournaments are providing Zimbabwe an opportunity to showcase its rich and diverse cultural heritage hospitality. The delegates to these conferences and athletes participating in the sports tournaments are assisting to market Zimbabwe as a tourist destination of choice hence the need for citizens to show and demonstrate Zimbabwe’s hospitality when interacting with them.
The delegates or sportspersons should speak about Zimbabwe’s beauty and the hospitality of its people when they return to their respective countries. The challenge to the tourism industry is to ensure we have repeat visits of such international tourists and this is only possible if the visitors enjoy our services and facilities.
It is therefore incumbent upon each and every tourism player to provide the best services and facilities to our guests during such meetings or sports tournaments.
