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Kudakwashe Mhundwa
HARARE – Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira says there is need to create synergies between the environment and tourism sectors so that they feed into each other and unlock value for the two industries.
This comes as the two once separated ministries were recently joint to form one ministry in cabinet pronouncements after the 2018 harmonised elections.
Addressing delegates at the ongoing ministry strategic plan workshop, minister Mupfumira said, going forward the ministry needs to create a framework that is inclusive of the needs of all ministries to ensure their success.
“Indeed, tourism and environment are inseparable functions that feed on each other. Going forward, there is need for us to create synergies between the two mandates of the former Ministries to ensure that we create a shared vision, and a team that will be united for the success of the Ministry,” she said.
She also added that the ministry should create a regulatory framework which is aligned with Government`s Transitional Stabilisation Programme.
“The Strategic Plan should also be aligned to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) which runs from October 2018 to December 2020. The TSP prioritizes key projects aimed at stimulating economic growth and employment creation of which our Ministry has two areas flagged out as follows:
“Environmental management, targeting protection, restoration and promotion of sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable management of forests, fighting the veld fire scourge, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation and loss of bio-diversity; and
“Tourism development and promotion focusing on aggressive marketing and rebranding of Zimbabwe, as well as robust support for Domestic Tourism and Community Based Tourism,” said minister Mupfumira.
Bongani Ndlovu