adminOver 2 000 delegates from 186 UNWTO member states are expected to descend on Zimbabwe and Zambia in August for the general assembly.
In an interview, Minister Mzembi said holding the general assembly soon after the elections was the best chance to market the country as thousands of dignitaries from across the globe would be in the country when they take place.
“From a tourism perspective we are saying let’s go to the elections now,” he said.
“The platform presents the best opportunity for the country to market its brand in the aftermath of elections,” he added.
President Mugabe has proclaimed July 31 this year as the date to conduct harmonised elections.
The Constitutional Court had directed President Mugabe to proclaim the election date after political activist Jealousy Mawarire had sought an order compelling the President to do so. Minister Mzembi said some of the dignitaries were coming from countries which had imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe while others have heard negative stories about the country.
“If they come soon after the elections, they will have first-hand information and as Zimbabweans let us show the world that we are a peace-loving nation,” he said.
He took a swipe at some members of the inclusive Government who rush to seek assistance from outsiders when Zimbabweans should resolve their own problems.
“As a Tourism Ministry we are trying to re-engage the world under the rebranding exercise where we tell them Zimbabweans have the capacity to deal with their own problems, but some are quick to run to outsiders for solutions,” he said.
The MDC formations recently took the dispute over election dates to a special Sadc summit to mobilise resources for Zimbabwe to hold elections in Maputo, Mozambique.
While the summit recommended that the parties should approach the Constitutional Court seeking an extension of the poll dates, it recognised the ruling as a bona fide decision that had to be respected. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter