ITB cancelled over COVID-19

Andrew Moyo

As the coronavirus epidemic continues to spread across the globe, having reached more than 25 countries, its impact on various spheres has been immense.

Just this past weekend, five soccer matches in the Italian Serie A had to be postponed as the country battles to contain the outbreak.

It is not just sport which has been affected, with the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) Berlin being cancelled for the first time in its 54-year history.

Touted as the largest travel show in the world, the event was supposed to run from Wednesday to March 78 in the German capital but had to be called off following the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Economics in that country.

The responsible health authority of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in Berlin had increased health check requirements for the event.

Among other things, the authority had ordered every participant to prove that they had not been to the defined risk areas or have had contact with a person from the risk areas. It was confirmed that all the requirements could not be met.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Acting Chief Executive, Givemore Chidzidzi, said the Zimbabwe’s tourism sector had been ready and looking forward to attending the 2020 edition of ITB.

“It’s very unfortunate that cancellation has become the only option in the face of this epidemic. Our prayers and thoughts go to those affected by COVID-19 and we also pray that the epidemic comes to an end,” said Chidzidzi.

Zimbabwe had assembled a strong delegation comprising the ZTA and tourism operators which was to be led by the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Nqobizitha Ndhlovu.

The thrust was to continue the re-engagement with the international tourism players.

“ZTA and the entire tourism industry has been making preparations to be part of this year’s event,” said Chidzidzi.

“We had a record 30 operators who had booked exhibition space on the Zimbabwe stand ready to take on the international travel industry. The response from our local industry had been overwhelming and, indeed, encouraging.”