Township tourism under spotlight

is funded from the fiscus and this year, the Government expects to bankroll it at a cost of about US$100 000.
More than 1 500 local, international exhibitors and thousands of ordinary citizens throng the Rainbow Towers, Harare’s ceremonial home of hospitality, to do business in the country’s only tourism event sanctioned on the United Nations World Tourism Organisation annual calendar.
This year’s event is very special for the tourism and hospitality industry of Zimbabwe as it will coincide with the launch of Township Tourism.
The world over from Europe to Asia, township tourism has become the fastest growing sector as it quickly brings people of different cultures together.
Tired of the jungles of concrete, pre-cast walls and flamboyant hotels in the modern world, many discerning tourists in the world now prefer going for real-life issues and spend most of their time visiting townships and villages.  
The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, next week launches township tourism in Highfield and Mbare, the pre-independence hotbeds of nationalism. 
It is fact not fiction that it is impossible to separate Highfield and its history from the Zimbabwean struggle to independence.
Most importantly, it brings value, rich in culture and heritage which is deeply embedded in our educational journey to unravel the untold stories of yesteryear through township tourism.
This is precisely the reason why ZTA had shifted the venue of Tourism Night from the traditional Harare International Conference Centre to Gwanzura Stadium. 
The launch will start with processions led by Vice President Joice Mujuru, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and Highfield-bred music icon Oliver Mtukudzi.  
There will be four starting points in the procession, all converging on the Cyril Jennings Hall before proceeding to the main event at Gwanzura Stadium.
The processions will be made up of a colourful masquerade, filled with sound and energy, drum majorettes and bands.
This procession will stop over at “CJ” for a mini photographic exhibition showcasing the history of Highfield.
Then they will go to the homes of late national heroes’ Joshua Nkomo, Leopold Takawira, Herbert Chitepo and give their family members token of appreciation.
They will also visit the houses of President Robert Mugabe, Moton Malianga and Enos Nkala.
The idea is to conscientise the residents of the area of a tourism project that will see tourists flock into the area to see the houses like what tourists do in Soweto to see Nelson Mandela’s house that has been turned into a tourist attraction.
The launch will end at Gwanzura Stadium with the kick-off of the Tourism Night, featuring Zimbabwe’s most celebrated musicians.
The Government through ZTA is sponsoring the music gala, and revellers will be allowed in for free. Everyone is invited.
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