HomeOld_PostsTourism Masterplan to aid growth

Tourism Masterplan to aid growth

Published on

THE recently launched National Tourism Masterplan is envisaged to jolt the growth of the tourism sector which has been described as a ‘low hanging fruit’ and critical to the resuscitation of the economy.
With the masterplan in place, the sector is expected, going forward, to record double digit growth levels anchored by tourism activities at the grassroots.
The masterplan is expected to guide the tourism sector up to 2035.
Zimbabwe has been operating without a tourism masterplan since independence while being only guided by the Tourism Act of 1996 and the National Tourism Policy of 2012.
Tourism was previously housed as a department in different ministries until 2009 when it became a stand-alone ministry.
In the past, the sector was a preserve of the ‘elite’ and male dominated.
But since the launch of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme, the participation of the previously marginalised majority is on the increase.
Programmes and funds have been availed to ensure that women and youths are actively involved in the sector not only as employees or beneficiaries, but owners of tourism businesses.
The sector suffered more than a decade of battering when the country embarked on the Land Reform Programme which led to Western visitors shunning the destination at the behest of the UK and US.
However, failure to effect regime change in the country has forced the West to re-engage the country in many areas, including tourism.
The country has since rebranded itself to a ‘A World of Wonders’ from ‘Africa’s Paradise’ and has in recent times recorded growth on the back of massive awareness campaigns on what the nation has to offer.
Zimbabwe has some of the finest natural tourism products in the world.
Even when travel bans were effected, many people from Western countries visited the country through South Africa.
And as the country works towards rebuilding the economy, tourism is one of the key factors in the development matrix.
Tourism represents about seven percent of all international trade and is a huge part of services provision, accounting for 30 percent of the world’s trade in services.
In developing economies, tourism has been used to propel growth.
In the so-called Least Developed Countries (LDCs), it represents seven percent of total exports of goods and services.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) states that the country’s tourism sector contributes 10,9 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 7,3 percent to total employment and 18,8 percent to export earnings.
According to the organisation, the sector harbours massive potential for further growth and development.
The National Tourism Masterplan intends to place the country in the top five destinations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by 2035.
Peter Nizette of Keois Consultants said the masterplan had identified 11 development zones and two national projects to bolster growth in the sector.
“Some of the tourism development zones identified include Bulawayo, Midlands, Victoria falls, Mavhuradonha and Kariba,” Nizette said.
“These will focus on structural issues, water-based leisure, wildlife and nature activities.
“We have identified two national projects which include National Heritage Trails and National Tourism Signage project that will enhance the visibility and uniqueness of Zimbabwe as a destination.
“Eighty percent of what tourism is, is in the downstream industry.”
The development of new products identified in the masterplan is expected to assist in product diversification and help spread out the benefits of tourism to communities.
Events such as the Gwanda Gospel Festival and the Harare International Carnival early September and the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo from September 27 to October 1 2017 are some of the activities meant to increase the visibility of Zimbabwe as a prime destination.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Management Anastancia Ndhlovu is on record saying stakeholders are working towards improving domestic and international tourism.
Said Ndhlovu: “We work very closely with players in the industry through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism.
“We are undertaking an ease of doing business programme which focuses on tourism.
“We are relatively an expensive destination, not out of choice.
“As you are aware, we are using the multi-currency regime, so as the dollar continues to firm against the smaller currencies such as the rand, the pula and the kwacha, we become a little more expensive.
“Nonetheless there are a number of initiatives that are aimed at increasing domestic tourism,” said Ndhlovu.
“We work very closely with the Ministry of Environment. National Parks has in excess of 1 000 rooms which our people can really take advantage of and enjoy the beauty of our country. There are many facilities such as camping facilities.
“Tourism is about adventure and activities.
“An adventure does not necessarily mean you have to sleep in a hotel.
“You can go for the experience of the tourism products close to where you live.
“We urge all our people to really visit the tourism places close to their areas of stay.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest articles

Musician pens seven books

By Fidelis Manyange CHITUNGWIZA-based musician, known in music circles as Gaban Kufemamoto Chebani Chedondo Chegwenzi...

A successful first quarter

THE first quarter of the year is done. As a people, we have not been...

FOZEU’s call for strike…an attempt at provoking anarchy

By Elizabeth Sitotombe IN an attempt to sow anarch across the country by calling for...

Chitepo’s fight for land

This story was first published on 21/03/2016 By Patience Rusare LAND ranked highest among the grievances...

More like this

Musician pens seven books

By Fidelis Manyange CHITUNGWIZA-based musician, known in music circles as Gaban Kufemamoto Chebani Chedondo Chegwenzi...

A successful first quarter

THE first quarter of the year is done. As a people, we have not been...

FOZEU’s call for strike…an attempt at provoking anarchy

By Elizabeth Sitotombe IN an attempt to sow anarch across the country by calling for...

Discover more from Celebrating Being Zimbabwean

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading