National tourism advisory council named

Secretary for Tourism and Hospitality Industry Dr Sylvester Maunganidze said the council would advise the minister on the ideological direction of the sector and the nexus between tourism and the critical area of the National Heritage of Zimbabwe.
Tourism was this year expected to grow by 10,3 percent and by 31,7 percent in 2012.
The broad-based council is representative of all key relevant national constituencies, including industry players, academics, women, youths, religious leaders, traditional chiefs and the disabled.
“The ministry has basically broadened and deepened what should be our perception of Zimbabwe national tourism from the narrow and shallow view inherited from colonial times.
“This is where tourism is narrowly perceived as a preoccupation that is exclusively for whites and foreigners, where the generality of our people can only participate as servants or amusers,” said Dr Maunganidze.
The ministry has redefined tourism to involve the whole of Zimbabwe, its entire people and cultures, all its physical and man-made structures.
Emphasis is now on domestic tourism as there has been on international tourism. Indigenous people can participate as tourists as well as hosts and entrepreneurs.
“All known branches of tourism will from now on be encouraged. These include, but are not restricted to the following: village tourism, township tourism, medical tourism, cultural tourism, sport tourism, educational tourism, adventure tourism, heritage tourism, eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, pilgrimage tourism, religious tourism, historical tourism, cycling tourism, agricultural tourism, manufacturing tourism, mining tourism,” said Dr Maunganidze.
The council, which will have defining and analytical functions will retreat regularly and advise the minister on the develop- ment of this key area within the total matrix of our national socio-economic develop- ment.
Members will also be accorded the scope to input into the conceptualisation and implementation of tourism product development, particularly enshrinement, monument building, and icon-construction in their own localities throughout the provinces.