UNWTO to Support Revitalization of Zimbabwe Tourism: 2010 a Unique Opportunity
Madrid, Spain/Harare, Zimbabwe, 9 September 2009
UNWTO
will support Zimbabwe in its goal to re-emerge as a major African
tourism destination. On a recent trip to the country, UNWTO Assistant
Secretary-General, Geoffrey Lipman, and Helder Tomas from the
Regional Representation for Africa, noted the country’s potential and
opportunity to revive its tourism sector and contribute to economic
growth, jobs and poverty reduction.
The
UNWTO mission was responding to a request from Zimbabwe’s Minister of
Tourism and Hospitality, Hon. Eng. Walter Mzembi (MP) to assess the
current state of tourism in Zimbabwe and identify areas for supportive
action.
Very constructive and positive meetings were held with the Vice
President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister: Ministers of Finance,
Environment, ICT, SME: Senior Officials in Economic Planning /
Investment and Transport: as well as with UNDP, Zimbabwe Tourism
Authority and Zimbabwe Tourism Council. Exchanges were held with the
media and other stakeholders and the Assistant Secretary-General was
also the guest of the national television program “Face the Nation”.
Geoffrey Lipman expressed great appreciation for the frank and
open exchanges as well as the Organization’s support for the
re-emergence of Zimbabwe as a major African Tourism Centre and
underscored the special role of tourism in poverty alleviation and job
creation – particularly in small and medium enterprises.
“We found a very strong commitment at all levels of the public and
private sector to promote Tourism as a key element of renewed national
economic development“, Mr. Lipman said. “Much of the underlying
infrastructure and product remains in place- the challenge now is
regeneration.”
Much attention was paid to the opportunity presented by the 2010
FIFA World Cup. Soccer fans coming to Southern Africa for the World Cup
present a unique opportunity to attract visitors to Zimbabwe. Billions
more will tune in through multimedia and this will be a chance to
spotlight Zimbabwe’s Tourism product – particularly the world renowned
Victoria Falls.
UNWTO will explore how to help tourism in Zimbabwe in a number of
basic areas such as capacity building, community tourism, brand
development, statistics and Tourism Satellite Accounting. It will also
look at issues around 2010 preparedness, strengthening competitiveness,
national park conservation and how Victoria Falls can successfully
transform to the Green Economy.
”The mission showed the strong support of UNWTO for Zimbabwe
Tourism and the enthusiasm of the sector and across Government as a
whole for the great benefits tourism can bring to the people of
Zimbabwe”, said Minister Mzembi.
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