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The Herald, 22 August, 1981
ZIMBABWE would continue to welcome tourists from all parts of the world, including South Africa, the Minister of Information and Tourism, Dr Nathan Shamuyarira, said in Victoria Falls yesterday.
Speaking during the Iaunching on the Zambezi of two new United Touring Company 4.25-tonne launches capable of carrying 70 passengers and a crew of three, the minister said that since the introduction of two-day visas between Zimbabwe and South Africa, tourist traffic had declined.
“Zimbabwe is destined to become one of the major tourist centres on the African continent. Our target figure this year was $45 million but by 1986 we intend to see one million tourists visiting this country which will earn us $60 million in foreign exchange,” Dr Shamuyarira said.
A tourist development corporation which would enlarge the scope of the existing Zimbabwe Tourist Board would be set up by the end of this year.
Referring to the poaching menace in the national parks, Dr Shamuyarira promised that new Government control would not only lessen but “eliminate this altogether”.
He also disclosed that a team of enthusiasts from the United States would arrive in Zimbabwe during October to navigate certain sections of the Victoria Falls in inflatable boats.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Zimbabwe is renowned for numerous internationally acclaimed tourist destinations that offer site seeing, game and bird viewing, camping, sporting such as white-water rafting and bungie jumping, game hunting, fishing and boat cruising.
The Government has always recognised tourism as a vital component of economic development, promoting attractions such as Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, and the Great Zimbabwe. The country was seen as a safe and attractive destination for tourists, particularly from Europe and North America.
During this decade, infrastructure improvements were made, including the development of hotels and transport facilities. The Government also invested in marketing campaigns to promote Zimbabwe as a premier tourist destination in Southern Africa.
Zimbabwe’s tourism receipts increased by a remarkable 22 percent in 2023 to reach US$1,1 billion, while international tourist arrivals stood at 1,6 million, up from one million in 2022, signalling a strong recovery of the sector following a devastating Covid-19 pandemic.
Online Reporter