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Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE was yesterday named the ‘Destination of the Year: Natural Beauty’, while a number of officials involved with the country’s tourism sector, were also highly honoured.
The International Travel Awards are organised by the Pacific Writers of Travel Association (PATWA) annually.
Yesterday, the awards were announced in Germany at the International Tourism Bourse Berlin (ITB), which ends today.
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, walked away with the Best Tourism Minister in Southern Africa award while Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive Ms Winnie Muchanyuka was named the Best Professional: Destination Management.
In an interview after the awards presentation, Minister Ndlovu said: “As Zimbabwe, we are very excited that such a prestigious institution can recognise the efforts that Zimbabwe is doing.
What can we ask for, after being named the ‘Destination of the Year? We are very excited.”
On her part, Ms Muchanyuka attributed the award to team effort.
“More than anything else, it’s a team effort.
“On my own I would not have achieved this. I pay tribute to the teams that we have as destination Zimbabwe; the operators, the ZTA and the Ministry at large,” she said.
The PATWA International Travel Awards, which are handed out once a year in March at ITB Berlin, recognise individuals and organisations that have excelled and/or are involved in the promotion of tourism from different sectors of the travel trade such as aviation, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, destinations, government bodies, tourism ministries and other service provider(s) related directly or indirectly to the industry.
The awards have earned a reputation as one of the most coveted and sought after awards of the travel trade and are now in their 18th year since they were launched in 1999.
The ITB Berlin, which ends today, has over 10 000 exhibitors and 160 000 visitors, and has proven to be a staple in the travel event industry.
Fifteen companies from Zimbabwe have been participating in the ITB Berlin 2023. The companies range from safari lodges, air and traffic.
There is hope that participation in ITB Berlin will result in an increase in tourist numbers from Germany as Zimbabwe moves to attain an upper middle income society by 2030.
Online Reporter