adminRoberta Katunga Senior Business Reporter
REAL investment is needed from Government and the corporate community to realise a carnival economy like other countries in the world as carnivals have the potential to turn around the economy and boost development, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has said.Zimbabwe is holding its second edition of the Harare International Carnival from 16 to 25 May under the theme ‘Celebrating our diversity’.
ZTA spokesman Mr Sugar Chagonda said in order to reap maximum benefits from the carnival, Zimbabweans needed to have a shared vision which entails a buy-in from all sectors of the economy.
“For us to be a carnival economy, all sectors should come on board, this is not an event for the tourism sector only but it is for everyone as businesses will also benefit a lot from the influx of visitors and it is good for our economy,” said Mr Chagonda.
Speaking on this year’s carnival, Mr Chagonda said there had been a significant improvement from the inaugural edition with this being an indication of confidence on the Zimbabwean product.
“Last year was our maiden event and we were still developing our own concept as a country, it was mainly a learning curve for us and we have taken this opportunity to correct our mistakes. Preparations have been going well and we are ready to host the carnival,” he said.
According to ZTA 23 countries have confirmed participation which is an improvement from last year’s figure of 14 while 41 local companies and corporates would be taking part at the festivities as compared to 25 the prior year.
A number of events have been lined up for the carnival which include a junior carnival with 38 schools taking part and performances by the Zimbabwe National Army and Zimbabwe Republic Police band.
Other events include Carnival Queen, Jazz night, Carnival gospel show, carnival exotic night, fashion show, cultural fiesta, samba night and urban grooves night among other events.
The main event which is the carnival street party which includes the procession will be held on 24 May.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Engineer Walter Mzembi is leading a delegation to the Tourism Indaba in Durban, South Africa from 10-12 May.
The delegation will comprise tourism ministry officials, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the tourism industry.
The show will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC) and Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC).
ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said Zimbabwe’s participation at this year’s edition of Indaba was set to assert the country’s presence in the South African market.
“Our taking part at Indaba will see us maintain a strong presence in the South African market given that South Africa remains our biggest source market. While we experienced a slight decline of one percent from 719 637 in 2012 to 715 260 in 2013 of arrivals we are determined to up that figure by investing more marketing efforts and we hope more resources will be availed to achieve this,” he said.
He said the main objectives of participation included increasing destination awareness, establishing business with travel trade, media and consumers through existing suppliers to Zimbabwe.
Industry players expressed optimism saying their participation at the show would avail much in as far as boosting their businesses.
Mr Wengayi Wenhau of Wenhau Safaris who is also the co-chairman of the Joint Marketing Committee (JMC) said the industry was excited and optimistic that they would conduct fruitful transactions at Indaba.
“Indaba has always been one of those shows that we look forward to attending annually because of the deals that we clinch there and we are optimistic that this year is no exception. There was heightened interest last year because of the co-hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly and we need to follow up on that,” he said.
Minister Mzembi said the Indaba was an ideal platform for Zimbabwe to announce its recently acquired status as The World Best Destination for 2014 and Favourite Cultural Destination for 2014 awarded by the European Council on Tourism and Trade.
“These awards are a major endorsement on Zimbabwe as a safe destination particularly from the European Union. Indaba is a befitting pedestal for this as it is a show of great magnitude for the global travel industry to interact under one roof and see that we have come thus far,” said Minister Mzembi.
Indaba is the largest tourism marketing event on the African calendar and attracts international buyers and media from across the world amounting to well over 13 000 delegates.
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