‘Govt to align tourism policies and investments to SDGs’
GOVERNMENT is set to align its tourism policies, business operations and investments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira has said.
In her address during the official launch of the African Dream Cruise Boat on Lake Kariba on Sunday, Minister Mupfumira said her ministry, which is responsible for protecting the environment, promoting and managing tourism, was cognisant of the fact that all business must be sustainable.
This would be guided by SDGs 8, 12 and 14, which seek to create jobs and promote local culture and products through sustainable tourism, adopt sustainable consumption and production, including sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources among others.
“My ministry is aiming at promoting tourism through the SDGs journey to 2030, which aims to build knowledge, empower and inspire tourism stakeholders to take necessary action to accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable tourism sector,” she said.
The official launch hosted by the Zimpapers BoldAds Event Management was NON-GOVERNMENTAL Organisations have been called upon to work closely with Government as most of their projects are part of Central Government’s key result areas.
This came out at a workshop which was hosted by the Institute of Young Women in Development (IYWD) in Bindura last week. The workshop was aimed at promoting the participation of young women in decision making in order to graced by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, his wife Marry and French investors, the Shmitter family.
Government officials including Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Mary Mliswa, Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister Jennifer Mhlanga and Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura were also in attendance.
Minister Mupfumira said Government, in pushing this agenda, will be guided by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, which is encouraging voluntary national reviews.
“Zimbabwe intends to join 64 countries that have already been reviewed and as such, we are mobilising provincial advisory committees to ensure that whatever we do, our tourism must be sustainable.
“My ministry, as custodian of the environment, is continuously encouraging the hospitality industry to maintain the highest standards of hygiene.
“We are frantically working on adopting waste management strategies to avert the spread of preventable water-borne disease.
“To this effect, we will be partnering local authorities and the private sector to restore a clean Zimbabwe culture throughout the country.”
Meanwhile, the Shmitter family representative, Lucas, who accompanied his parents — Patrick and Daniele — hailed the business environment in Zimbabwe.
The African Dream Cruise Ship was built in a joint venture between Zimbabwean and French businesspeople.
“We’d like to take advantage of this time to remind you that the RV African Dream was born out of a close collaboration between our two nations.
“The ship was built in Zimbabwe through the combination of African ingenuity and French engineering. We are very proud of the Zimbabwean flag flying at the stern of the ship, which is a symbol of our true industrial co-operation leading to international success in the tourism industry.”
The boat, which has a crew of 14 Zimbabweans, was already fully-booked for the next two years starting in January 2018.
He said the beautiful Zimbabwean environment, teeming wildlife and landscape has won over several tourists to the country.
“Lake Kariba and its beautiful landscapes are the ideal setting to welcome our passengers. We are totally won over by the unspoiled wilderness, the exceptional flora and fauna and the breathtaking views.
“And of course, the grandness of Victoria Falls left us utterly speechless. But above all else, the unanimously positive feedback we get from our passengers regarding the warm welcome they receive when arriving in Zimbabwe; the kindness and joie de vivre of the locals is anything but a myth.”
He said the success of the RV African Dream has inspired construction of a second ship to be launched on Lake Kariba in March 2020.
“This second ship will be named the Zimbabwean Dream and will start cruising in March 2020, welcoming more than 1 500 passengers and bringing the grand total of customers to 3 000 per year across both ships,” Mr Shmitter said.
There are also plans underway for a third ship.
The Shmitter family business, CroisiEurope, boosts 42 years in existence, a fleet of 55 ships in Europe, Asia, North and South Americas as well as Africa, 2 000 collaborations and more than 250 000 loyal customers.
The customers, according to Mr Schmitter, are eagerly awaiting to discover Zimbabwe as a tourist destination.
“Government may not have the funds, but can link them to resource personnel and help them make their projects successful, which is also what we want as Government.
Speaking at the same workshop, IYWD team leader Ms Glanis Changachirere said her organisation had managed to set up peace committees in remote areas which include Chiefs Musana, Masembura and Chipuriro’s areas in an effort to help young women seek justice faster in courts that are closer to their homes.