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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
THE China-Zimbabwe Exchange Centre, which hosts the Harare Forum for Africa and China Civilisation Dialogue, has taken its activities to Victoria Falls in Matabeleland North Province to tap into the rich cultural diversity and market the country as a tourism and investment destination of choice.
China and Zimbabwe are all-weather friends and the inclusion of culture and culinary products widens areas of engagement.
On Wednesday, the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Centre interacted with various stakeholders including the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), tour operators and students from China’s Tsinghua University School of Journalism and Communication, which helped to coordinate the event in partnership with the centre.
The Chinese delegation of students was led by Professor Zhao Yuezhi, who chairs Tsinghua University’s Faculty of Humanities and also the executive director for Heyang Institute for Rural Studies, as well as Professor Hu Yu, the director of the Institute for Culture Creativity at Tsinghua University.
The main objective of the exchange programme is economic cooperation in agriculture and rural development. The delegation visited surrounding rural communities to learn about the local culture.
This comes as the Government is pursuing an agenda of promoting new tourism products as culture, religion, sport and gastronomy as new attractions.
The visit to Victoria Falls was a precursor to the upcoming global competence field study course in Zimbabwe next week and is significant as it coincides the 44th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
It also aligns with increasing China-Zimbabwe cooperation and complements the recent introduction of the Global Civilisation Initiative.
Zimbabwe stands to tap into China’s colour culture, Wu Opera Culture, and there are opportunities to create cultural tourism through development of local cultures.
During the discussions, participants reiterated the need for positive use of social media for marketing, as well as to develop functioning infrastructure that promote tourism.
Zimbabwe can learn from China’s tourism that has grown because of infrastructure, affordable road transport and viable rail system. Prof Zhao said the programme has special focus on Zimbabwe.
“This is a pre-conference and the first time we launch this event and the major event will happen in Harare on July 8. We are here because we believe this place is very important for promoting Zimbabwe among the Chinese people because of the famous Victoria Falls.
“We also believe tourism is very important for economic development for Zimbabwe. The objective is to promote people to people exchange between China and Zimbabwe, and we started by bringing students and some of local people from one of China’s provinces to exchange ideas,” she said.
The Chinese delegation visited some communities outside Victoria Falls to experience the local culture.
Founder of China-Zimbabwe Exchange Centre Mr Steve Zhao said the programme takes advantage of cordial relations between Zimbabwe and China.
“The Harare Forum for Africa started early this year and we coordinated this in partnership with Tsinghua University to bring students to talk about tourism and civilisation programmes. Today is our first forum in Victoria Falls and we invited ZTA and stakeholders,” he said.
“We have met with villagers and traditional leaders and I believe this is a big opportunity for China and Zimbabwe to work together for rural development and tourism sector.”
Mr Clourage Tavenave also from the China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre said the platform creates an opportunity for young people as it promotes job creation and educational opportunities.
He said efforts are being made to bring the forum to Victoria Falls to create jobs and improve tourism.
ZTA Matabeleland North regional manager Mr Daniel Mumpande said community-based tourism is central to the country’s tourism strategy.
He said Victoria Falls is a unique destination with adrenalin junkies’ taste, as well as cultural, wildlife and community tourism attractions.
Mr Mumpande said the destination is leveraging digital technology to enhance tourism and build the Zimbabwe brand.
“Generally Zimbabwe and Matabeleland North in particular, is very rich in culture so these exchanges are important because they incorporate people living around Victoria Falls through community-based enterprises that attract tourists to come and experience our culture,” he said.
“So this is part of community development through community-based enterprises and as a destination, we need to come up with strategies of going to China to market our destination. China has the largest population and if we can get five or 10 percent of that population coming into Zimbabwe we can grow our tourism.”
Mr Mumpande said there is a need to leverage partnerships and cordial relations between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China.
-@ncubeleon
Online Reporter