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The forum will be hosted by the New York University’s Africa House.
The Zimbabwean delegation comprises officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
In an interview, ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke, who is leading the delegation, said the forum was an integral platform to discuss how the African continent as a tourism destination could leverage on various opportunities to spur tourism growth and development.
“The United States is a traditional and primary source market for Zimbabwe and certainly we cannot afford to ignore this market. We are very glad to be working closely with ATA, first as Africa and importantly as Zimbabwe as we intend to invest all energies to regain the lost market share in this part of the world,” said Mr Kaseke.
The president of the ATA, who is the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi, is expected to address the forum among a host of other African luminaries expected to grace the forum. The event will run under the theme “Benefits of tourism, particularly in relation to the economy, environment and people”.
In a statement ATA said the forum would advance high level discussion on Africa’s tourism outlook that was likely to generate debate and interest among representatives from the African continent.
It is the general view among the leadership in Africa that tourism has been universally acknowledged to be one of the fastest growing and resilient economic sectors with a well recognised potential to drive growth and stability but ironically despite Africa’s potential the continent has not yet experienced equitable tourism growth.
The role of ATA in the continent’s quest for tourism growth and development is likely to come under the spotlight so are the critical issues to do with visas, air access, infrastructure development, ICT and human skills development.
Other dignitaries expected to attend the symposium include the President of Benin Dr Boni Yayi, Amina Ali, Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, Africa Union Permanent representative to the US, Gambia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture Fatoe Mas Jobe Njie, and Edward Bergman, executive director of ATA
The one day forum is ATA’s signature event in the United States held annually on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu