adminVictoria Ruzvidzo in Madrid, Spain
African tourism ministers have welcomed the new dispensation in Zimbabwe saying the country is now poised to reaise its full potential as a tourist destination.
In separate interviews here yesterday, the ministers said the smooth intervetion by the military and the coming into power by President Mnangagwa created a fertile environment for tourism and the revival of the economy as a whole. Untied Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) chairman of the Convention of African Ministers Najib Balala said Zimbabwe was now on the right track.
“We want to thank Zimbabwe for a smart transition. We now need to come together as a continent and address issues of govenance, peace and democracy. These have been repelling visitors. They make Africa a hard sell,” he said. Gambia Tourism and Culture Minister Hamat Bah said what happened in Zimbabwe was a lesson to be learnt by others.
“Zimbabwe was never a crisis before. It was largely exaggerated. We are excited about the new dispensation. We encourage this new dispensation to have a spirit of reconciliation because unity fosters tourism,” he said. UNWTO director African Regional Programmes Elcia Grandcourt also commended President Mnangagwa for his hardwork and commitment to transform the economy.
Online Reporter