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Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
THE Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (Retosa) has endorsed Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi’s candidature for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary general post.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) top post falls vacant next year.
At present, the post is held by Taleb Rifai of Jordan.
The government nominated Minister Mzembi for the UNWTO post in April.
“It’s a positive development to have Mzembi landing the UNWTO secretary general post as he works for Zimbabwe. We know he will also be working for Sadc and the rest of the continent to promote tourism development.
“There is always a need for development of tourism in Zimbabwe, Sadc and Africa,” said Retosa marketing and communication director, Kwakye Donkor, in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Africa Expo in Bulawayo yesterday.
He said tourism is one of the major economic drivers in Africa hence the need to promote its development.
“Tourism is a cross-cutting industry and it therefore calls for development. For instance, our airports as tourism infrastructure require upgrading for the purposes of improving connectivity. Private sector development within the tourism industry is also critical in terms of accommodation and human resources,” he said.
In 2015, the UNWTO tourism barometer said tourism contributed about nine percent in terms of Gross Domestic Product, employed over 266 million people worldwide and generated $1,5 trillion in revenue.
Retosa is a Sadc body responsible for tourism growth and development.
It aims to increase tourism in the region through sustainable development and initiatives, effective destination marketing and improved regional competitiveness.
Retosa member states are Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The organisation works in close cooperation with the region’s national tourism bodies, the private sector and media partners.
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