adminMaxwell Tapatapa
Herald Reporter
Junior Parliamentarians this week met and proffered solutions towards the revival of tourism after Covid-19 and the attainment of a US$5 billion tourism economy by year 2025.
At an inaugural debate held by the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe in Celebration of the World Tourism Month, Child President Unathi Nyoni from Bulawayo said there is a need to increase tourism activities in the country so that visitors stay longer.
“When a tourist comes to a particular country they are drawn by activities that exist. When someone goes to Great Zimbabwe, what activities are we offering that makes that particular person stay in the country for as long as possible.”
“As soon as we diversify our country, when we have proper branding and marketing of all the other tourist destinations that exist within the country, we allow for a large array of options for our tourists to have when they come into this country.
“And what is the significance of that point? It allows our tourists to have more activities to do within the country. How is that important?
“It allows them to stay longer in the country. What is the significance of them staying longer in the country? When they stay longer they spend more. What happens when they spend more?
“When they spend more, our tourism sector grows. What happens when the tourism sector grows? We have more employment for our people, we have economic development,” said Nyoni.
Adding her voice, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Junior Minister Letty Nzombe said: “In order, for us to fully revive the industry after the disruption caused by the Covid-19, price reduction on the domestic tourism would really work”
Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation Junior Minister Vimbai Jukwa said the youths must not be left behind in the efforts to revive the tourism sector as they are technologically gifted.
She urged the tourist industry to take the junior parliamentarians as tourism ambassadors as they will spread the information about the beauty of tourism to their large constituency.
She also expressed concern over land barons taking space earmarked for recreational facilities for personal gains.
“There is what we call sports tourism. Madam Speaker, I urge the ministry responsible for local boards to ensure that our land is not taken by land barons because you see that in each community there is land saved for recreational purposes, our stadiums, our youth hubs.
“But now we are seeing land barons selling that land to the people and they are building houses and our areas don’t have this. Let us unite and fight.”
During the debate held under the theme: Rethinking Tourism, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Junior Minister Roy Maungwa said there is a need to support new tourism destinations across the country.
“I understand that we have a lot of resort areas in Zimbabwe which are yet unrealised and so there is need for research on these areas to bring them on light.
“We are tired of Great Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. People need to know other areas, for example in Mashonaland West we have got rock paintings.
“All that we need to do now is to make that area accessible, provide social amenities and bring it to light.
“With our rich culture and heritage, I believe Zimbabwe can become a first rate destination.”
Online Reporter