dyton mupawaenda
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe yesterday launched the Tourism Month awareness campaigns that are held annually in September, following the declaration of the month to foster awareness on the critical role the tourism sector has in advancing the developmental agenda of the nation.
Yesterday, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu, said Zimbabwe was joining the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) member States in celebrating World Tourism Day, which is held annually on September 27.
The day was set aside by the UNWTO to create awareness among the international community on the socio-economic benefits derived from the travel and tourism sector together with its entire value chains.
Said Minister Ndlovu in a statement yesterday: “The World Tourism Day celebrations as has become tradition are hosted in collaboration with provinces on a rotational basis.
“This tradition is in compliance with the Government’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind in terms of tourism development and equitable distribution of tourism benefits to local communities.”
Minister Ndlovu said the performance of the travel and tourism sector globally has improved significantly during the period 2022 to 2023 due to the resumption of travel and tourism following the effective global measures to control the Covid-19 pandemic.
This global trend has been observed in Zimbabwe, with notable increases in tourist arrivals, receipts and investments.
In the first half of 2023, Zimbabwe registered an increase of 62 percent international tourist arrivals from 366 062 last year to 591 524 in 2023.
“The substantial rise in tourist arrivals is attributed to a number of factors chief among them the resumption of travel globally, enhanced measures to foster recovery and growth in the tourism sector and the enhanced accessibility to Zimbabwe on account of introduction of new airlines flying into the country.
“In addition, the confidence in destination Zimbabwe arising from the Government’s robust engagement and re-engagement efforts coupled with aggressive marketing strategies at regional and global levels resulted in destination endorsements by a number of international organisations, positioning Zimbabwe as a distinctive and most preferred destination.
“More importantly too, has been the promotion of Zimbabwe as a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination. In the same period, tourism receipts increased by 16 percent from US$343,1 million in 2022 to US$397,7 million. During the period under review, investments showed a positive trajectory as they were 24 percent higher than that in 2022,” said Minister Ndlovu.
Local investors contributed a greater percentage of the registered investment inflows over the period under review.
Going forward, investment in the tourism sector is expected to increase with the growing confidence in destination Zimbabwe and financial support from the Tourism Revolving Fund put in place by Government to assist operators in refurbishments, expansion and retooling the sector.
Minister Ndlovu said among the tourism key milestones during the year was the successful hosting of the first ever SADC Traditional Tourism Gastronomy held in Masvingo on May 25.
Traditional Tourism Gastronomy is a brainchild of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
The event, which is aimed at promoting local cuisine, raised the Zimbabwean flag and attracted international community interest, with the endorsement of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
The 2023 World Tourism Day celebrations will run under the theme, “Tourism and Green Investments”.
Emphasis would be on “Investing in people, investing in the planet and investing in prosperity”.
Minister Ndlovu said in this regard, member States are encouraged to empower communities for sustenance and ensure sustainable tourism development for economic growth and for the benefit of future generations.
“To this end, the Ministry has lined up a number of events building up to the World Tourism Day main celebrations,” he said.
The main World Tourism Day celebrations will be held in Mutoko, in Mashonaland East, at Suskwe Lodges on September 27, marking the end of the Tourism Month.
The main celebrations will start with a Fun Run followed by the Tour of Suskwe Lodges, which are green eco-tourism accommodation projects.
Youths, men and women from the province are welcome to participate in the Fun Run.
The main celebrations will also be punctuated by live exhibitions by youths and women from Mashonaland East Province, packed with various entertainment activities by artists in the province in line with President Mnangagwa’s empowerment of local communities.
Women will also be invited to showcase their traditional ingredients including dried vegetables and fruits.
Online Reporter