Rural tourism triumphs in provincial innovation challenge
HOSPITALITY and Tourism student at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Ms Shingirai Zisengwe is this year’s Tourism Innovation Challenge Manicaland provincial winner after presenting an eye-catching project proposal aimed at transforming the tourism sector.
Zisengwe walked away with US$1000, while second-placed presenters —Tawanda Mbiriri, Blessing Mukazika and Tadiwanashe Dzitiro split US$500.
In third place was Michael Takawira who walked away with US$300.
Zisengwe will go through a mentorship programme starting on November 10, before the national adjudication and prize giving ceremony slated for November 24 and December 1, respectively. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) used various social media platforms to call for youths between the ages 18 and 30 to submit entries of project proposals that can transform the tourism sector.
In Manicaland Province, 14 youths responded and out of those, nine projects qualified. Speaking at the youth capacitation and tourism innovation challenge awards ceremony held recently, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza said Government is playing a critical role in ensuring an enabling environment to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
“To ensure sustainable tourism growth, there is need to continuously develop new products and services that can be introduced into the market. The travel and tourism industry’s needs are continuously changing and coping with these changes will ensure creation of new tourism economic value,” said Minister Mugadza.
ZTA eastern region manager, Ms Ropafadzo Dunira said among other objectives, the challenge seeks to promote innovation among the youths, encourage young innovators to create projects for the tourism sector and create employment.
“The participation of youths in the tourism sector is crucial as we work towards achieving a US$5 billion-tourism economy by 2025 and contribute towards Vision 2030.
“It is through such programmes and other marketing initiatives that we will be able to achieve our set targets,” said Ms Dunira.
Ms Zisengwe was born and bred in Rusape.
She went on to study Culinary Arts at the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Bulawayo.
She is currently working as a Culinary Arts lecturer at Manica Skyview School of Hospitality and Tourism and is studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce Honour’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management at the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences.
Ms Zisengwe is passionate about the tourism industry, with much of her interest in tourism entrepreneurship, hence her recent project on poverty alleviation in rural communities through rural tourism. In an interview with Post Business this week, Ms Zisengwe said she will work hard to win the national contest.
“The tourist attractions in Zimbabwe are mostly located in rural areas, hence a need for local communities to become tourism entrepreneurs and benefit from their Godgiven resources.
“I am passionate about improvng the livelihoods of young people and rural women. My project seeks to facilitate rural regeneration and the attainment of Vision 2030. It further seeks to alleviate poverty in the face of adverse effects of climate change,” she said.