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Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Tongai Mnangagwa has extolled the value of golf as a key proponent of sports tourism, saying that it can have a multiplier effect on the local economy, after having noted the segment’s significant growth across the world.
The Deputy Minister made these remarks on the sidelines of the recent City of Kings Golf Tournament that was held at Bulawayo Golf Club recently.
“It is a sport that is not particularly developed in our country, despite having been designated an Olympic sport and being home to a Major winner and Nick Price and despite aligning with what we offer as a destination.
“Of course, there is an explanation for everything, and in this case, the underdevelopment in Zimbabwe is due to the fact that for years we did not have the necessary infrastructure for these types of sports. Even today, sports infrastructure of this kind has deficiencies and weaknesses. Personally, what is noteworthy is that once again it is proven that sports can yield multiplicative benefits for tourism”.
Over the years, golf has resulted in a number of visitors travelling to Bulawayo from across the country, drawing critical comments from the minister, who said that the country has not done enough in terms of this specific market.
Referring to Bulawayo’s sporting heritage, Hon Mnangagwa said that: “It is now a fact that Bulawayo is constantly being upgraded and in recent years has hosted several events of international significance, enjoying the corresponding benefits as a city and as a destination”.
Furthermore, he extended “warm congratulations to the organisers of the City of Kings Golf Tournament and especially to the volunteers, without whom the event would not have been possible”.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that earlier this month, Hon Mnangagwa again underscored “the significant contribution of sports tourism” to the country, after the success of the recently held FBC Zimbabwe Golf Open tournament, which saw a record number of participants.
“Sports tourism is the market segment with the biggest growth in the global tourism economy,” Hon Mnangagwa stated at the time.
He added: “My intention and goal as Deputy Tourism Minister is to further strengthen sports tourism, which is again proving to be a form of tourism that can grow even more in our country and contribute significantly to the extension of the tourist season”.
He also said that “it is with great satisfaction to we see the Zimbabwe Open growing, with an increasing contribution to the tourism economy”.
The minister explained that such events facilitate both domestic tourism and arrivals from other countries, particularly during a weaker period of the tourist calendar. Hon Mnangagwa said that 144 golfers from several foreign countries participated in this year’s event.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), “sports tourism is a fundamental axis, generating around 10 per cent of the world’s expenditure on tourism”.
The organisation said that sports tourism has an estimated growth rate of 17,5 per cent between 2023-2030, “moving masses intra and inter-continentally”.
Finally, the UNWTO has also said that “sports tourism can promote social, economic and environmental action, it accelerates development and can leave a long-lasting positive legacy”.
Hon Mnangagwa reiterated that the Zimbabwean Government wants to work closely with the private sector in promoting sports tourism in the country. He said the private sector such as betting and gaming companies have digital platforms that can be utilised to promote sports tourism.
Online Reporter