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Fungai Lupande Mashonaland Central Bureau
Only 10 youths in Mashonaland Central submitted entries for the tourism innovation challenge, while just two turned up for the prize giving in Bindura yesterday.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s product development manager Mrs Tsitsi Munetsi said there was apathy towards the programme in Mashonaland Central, which has the least numbers taking part, a distinction it also attained in last year’s competition.
Each competitor is meant to get ideas on how to market Zimbabwe post-Covid-19 era.
“It’s a five-year programme which started in 2020 at national level before being cascaded to provinces to leave no one behind. We want as many youths to participate in this programme,” she said.
“We want youths to come up with ideas which can increase tourism arrivals into the country. The ideas can also enhance visitor experience. We want sustainable projects that are innovative that attract environmentally oriented tourists.”
They are also looking for ideas that lead to the benefit of local communities and support local economies for the benefit of the province, she said.
Tadiwanashe Marengo, a peace and governance student at Bindura University of Science Education walked away with US$1 000 after winning the provincial tourism innovation award.
Marengo, who did not win last year, tried again this year and his innovative idea is to host a tourism talk show to market and raise awareness on tourism sites.
His talk show will also touch on environmental issues.
“The province is rich in historical tourism and we have untamed sites including Chesvingo, Chaminuka keeps and Nyatsimba Mutota sites. We want people who visit Victoria Falls to also come to this province and see what we have,” he said.
“I am partnering with a media team to start documentation of the tourist attractions that we have here. We are also expecting a culture grant from the Egypt embassy and EU.”
The second prize went to Munashe Tsangu, who won US$500, while the third winner Chipo Meya walked away with US$300.
Guest of honour, Mr Levi Katambarare, director economics and investment, said the competitions are in line with the Government thrust in promoting stimulating, encouraging entrepreneurship among youths.
He said the Second Republic is committed to the participation of the youth in the economy through innovation.
He was represented by Mrs Lucia Jenami.
“The youth are keen to create solutions that can address both our local and national challenges in our respective provinces. This will contribute towards achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.
“It is important for the youth in this province to participate in these innovation programmes to position the province competitively to grow the tourism economy and create employment.”
Travel and tourism trends are continuously changing and coping with these changes through innovative ideas from youths will ensure creation of new tourism economic value.
Assistant District Development Coordinator for Bindura district Mr Cuthbert Huvaya commended the effort by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry to involve the youth in the tourism discourse.
He said the programme challenges young people to be more proactive and think outside the box with regards to tourism development.
“We are confident that the tourism innovation challenge is an incubator for future tourism planners. In the near future, some of the young people sitting as contestants will be active participants in the National Tourism dialogue,” he said.
Online Reporter