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Dickson Mangena, Business Reporter
THE tourism sector has bemoaned the insignificant allocation by Treasury in its 2017 National Budget saying there is a need to prioritise entities that have the potential to turn around the economy.
The tourism sector was allocated $2 657 000 by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa when he announced the country’s National Budget on Thursday.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority spokesperson Mr Sugar Chagonda, said it was unfortunate that the figure allocated to the sector was not enough for them to carry out their mandate despite being one of the entities that has the potential to turn around the economy.
Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi is on record saying the sector is a low hanging fruit that can rake in the much needed foreign currency and boost the country’s economy.
“We know that things are tight for the Government but we feel that there is a need to resource the ZTA so that we can invest in our mandate. The figure is insignificant in line with our proposed projects,” said Mr Chagonda.
He also said that it was in the best interest of the Government to prioritise entities like the ZTA so that they may be able to harness the potential that lies in them.
“We strongly feel that the Government needs to prioritise such entities. How then can we harness the potential of turning around the economy through tourism if we do not invest in it,” Mr Chagonda said.
However, according in the National Budget Statement, the Government is projecting a 0.8 percent growth in tourism for the year 2017 through promoting the Zimbabwean brand as a competitive tourist destination.
“In tourism, where a 0.8 percent growth is projected for 2017, the thrust will be on promoting and improving the Zimbabwe brand as a competitive tourist destination under the theme International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development,” said Minister Chinamasa.
Minister Chinamasa highlighted that the tourism sector would be supported by measures to remove barriers to free movement of tourists into and within the country, including the prevailing unconducive number of non-security or crime roadblocks on the roads.
“In this regard, the relevant Government agencies, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimra, ZBC, Zinara and Ema are being engaged to implement the necessary supportive reviews,” said Minister Chinamasa.
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