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Arnold Mutemi and Patrick Chitumba in Livingstone, Zambia
The successful co-hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly by Zimbabwe and Zambia has shamed detractors who wanted to portray Zimbabwe as an unsafe destination, President Mugabe said last night.
Speaking in Livingstone at the official closing of the UNWTO general assembly, he said delegates who attended the general assembly found the country was safe and they should tell the world about the true situation in the country.
President Mugabe said among lies peddled by detractors was a story on the internet claiming that a bomb had been found planted in Zimbabwe in a bid to scare delegates from attending the general assembly while Washington had issued a travel warning to its citizens not to visit Victoria Falls claiming it was dangerous.
“Let me assure you and that assurance is doubly given that you will be safe here. We are not terrorists, we don’t kill people here,” he said.
President Mugabe said Zimbabwe wanted to be friends with all countries.
“You are now our ambassadors to tell the truth. We seek no harm to others. We seek friendship and co-operation, we seek peace and not war, we seek good neighbourliness and respect for each other.”
The President said despite efforts to portray the country in bad light, Zimbabwe was endowed with many God-given wonders such as the Victoria Falls.
He said the record attendance at the general assembly was sign that the world recognised the importance of the two countries in the field of tourism.
“This attendance is indeed an endorsement of our destinations and a welcome statement to all doubting minds that our continent and, particular, our two countries, remain must-visit tourism destinations,” he said.
The 20th session of the general assembly saw the highest number of participants in the history of the UNWTO with 121 of the 154 member states attending together with 145 countries, 750 delegates and 900 participants from the media and private sector and 49 ministers.
President Mugabe said Zimbabwe and Zambia would put emphasis on the accelerated development of tourism because of the important role it played in the economy while Sadc countries needed to adapt new technology to ease visa applications and processing.
“We would like to take this opportunity to assure the World Tourism Organisation that our respective governments recognise the prominent role played by the tourism sector in our economies. Accordingly, we will accord due emphasis on the accelerated development of this pivotal sector.
“I am mindful that Zimbabwe’s elevation to the chairmanship of the Regional Commission for Africa places an obligation on us to work with all African countries and relevant agencies in promoting sustainable tourism initiatives,” he said.
President Mugabe was accompanied to the closing ceremony at the Royal Livingstone Hotel by the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe.
In his closing address, Zambian President Michael Sata said the outcome of the 20th session of the UNWTO general assembly would improve livelihoods of communities and individuals.
President Sata said the programme of work of the UNWTO had been adopted up to 2015.
The programme includes visa facilitation, connectivity and accessibility of especially Africa to the rest of the world aimed at promoting growth and investment in tourism.
“The outcome of the 20th session of the UNWTO general assembly has opened up new and enormous possibilities for member states to make tourism contribute to the development of their economies and in the process improve the livelihoods of communities and individuals,” said President Sata.
“I am also happy to note that during this general assembly, the programme of work of the UNWTO has been adopted up to 2015. In this regard, Zambia will undertake follow up activities in order to benefit from the decisions and reforms recommendations of this assembly.”
President Sata said the co-hosting of the general assembly was historical for both countries.
“We hope you experienced and enjoyed the vibrant and admirable spirit of brotherhood that exists between our two countries. Our strong bond is anchored on our common traditions and cultural values that transcend physical boundaries,” he said.
Added President Sata: “I have been following with keen interest the deliberations of this general assembly on efforts to advance tourism’s sustainable growth such as visa facilitation, connectivity and accessibility. I am proud to state that my government is focused on improving the tourism sector’s competitiveness by streamlining the regulatory environment as well as putting in place tax incentives aimed at promoting growth and investment.”
President Sata said in line with the objective of increasing international tourist arrivals around the world, he was pleased to note that the general assembly reported that in the last decade, international tourism development had seen the growth of many tourist destinations in developing economies.
“It is my conviction that with appropriate interventions and technical support from the UNWTO secretariat, developing destinations such as ours can become attractions to international tourists,” said President Sata.
He said as nations spearhead tourism development, extra care should be taken on guarding against the pitfalls of over consumption.
Online Reporter