Promote domestic tourism, says Shamu

Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Webster Shamu has called on stakeholders in the tourism sector, especially hoteliers, to come up with affordable and attractive packages for the domestic market.

Addressing a tourism sector strategy consultative meeting in Chinhoyi on Monday, Minister Shamu said the domestic market could boost the industry.

“I would like to urge the accommodation sector to seriously consider the domestic tourism market and not only be glued on international tourist arrivals, as it represents opportunities for economic growth and sustainability of this sector,” he said.

“My hope is that coming up with new lodges will help our domestic tourism market, since this market remains untapped.”

Minister Shamhu said strategies to capture the domestic market need to be developed.

The initiative, he said, would lead to the development of new products for the domestic market while assisting in the revival of tourism infrastructure, which has not been upgraded in a long time.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry should also strive to create tourism value chain linkages to capture the economic value from the grassroots, and spread the tourism dividend to all sectors of the economy and communities,” he said.

Minister Shamu also hailed tourism players in the province for coming up with various activities and attractions like fishing, wildlife, jungle safaris, crocodile farming, boat hire and charter services.

He noted that though Government was aware of the inherent potential for tourism, there had to be a balance between wildlife and human activity.

“Investors should know that land is there for them to develop their products, but it has to be done with the understanding that Kariba is a wildlife area and that is a very clear policy,” he said. “Investors need to work within the masterplan of Kariba Municipality, which recognises that wildlife is also an important component of the area.”

The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry is holding stakeholder consultative meetings across Zimbabwe to get input on ways to improve and grow the sector.