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Prince Mushawevato in VICTORIA FALLS
SADC chairperson and Malawian president Dr Joyce Banda has described Zimbabwe and Zambia’s co-hosting of the 20th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly as a regional achievement.She said this while addressing the media soon after her arrival at the Victoria Falls International Airport yesterday for the UNWTO General Assembly. She was welcomed by Vice President Joice Mujuru.
President Banda said the co-hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly was particularly important, considering that Sadc viewed tourism as a cornerstone for economic development and empowerment of the people.
The event, she said, was a boon for Southern Africa, saying she was in the country to be part of the historical tourism event.
“We are looking at the co-hosting of the event by Zimbabwe and Zambia as an honour for Sadc,” President Banda said. “The two countries are hosting UNWTO on our behalf and it is very important, especially now that the region has identified tourism as a pillar for economic development and empowerment of our communities.
“Victoria Falls is unique not only for the two co-hosting nations, but also for the rest of Southern Africa and ultimately for Africa.”
President Banda presented a policy document on the relaxation of border travel restrictions that are slowing down tourism growth in the region in a closed door ministerial round table meeting. Vice President Mujuru and her Zambian counterpart Dr Guy Scott also attended the roundtable.
President Banda said the UNWTO general assembly came at a time the world was beginning to appreciate tourism as one of the major pillars of the economy and presented an opportunity for tourism growth within the region. “It has been discovered that tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and the hosting of the general assembly is a positive move towards promoting the sector,” President Banda said.
Speaking soon after the ministerial roundtable session, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi said President Banda had issued a Sadc policy statement on visa-liberalisation and seamless borders. “We brought the Sadc chair anchored by the two co-hosting Vice Presidents,” he said.
“President Banda tabled a strong policy issue on visas. We want to see more and more seamless borders like what President Mugabe said during the official opening ceremony, but the problem in our region lies in the implementation.
“Bureaucracy draws policy issues back. We need to open our borders. We don’t want to regress to the pre -UNWTO period. We need free movement of visitors and President Mugabe and (Zambian President) Michael Sata are advocating open borders.”
Meanwhile, in a speech read on her behalf during a luncheon for UNWTO heads of delegations, VP Mujuru said Zimbabwe would continue engaging the international community as a way to promote multi-lateral relations. “As a nation, we are focusing now on investing in our economy to generate business, employment and raise the social welfare of our people,” she said.
Online Reporter