‘Re-engagement drive pays off for tourism sector’
FRUITS of the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement policy have been seen in the tourism industry where investments in accommodation grew to US$180 million in 2021, a 147 percent increase from the US$72,9 million in the previous year.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said the tourism sector is already showing signs of revival, with operators expressing confidence in the future through investing in new projects, in the wake of the devastating Covid-19 that crippled the industry over the past two years.
He said this while officiating at the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) 2022 annual congress here yesterday.
VP Chiwenga said tourism recovery had been supported by a raft of measures and incentives such as the exemption on domestic tax and the setting up of a tourism revolving fund by Government in consultation with the sector.
Tourism was one of the worst hit sectors by the Covid-19 induced restrictions on international and domestic travel and Government in 2020 responded by launching the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy with a target of achieving a US$5 billion tourism industry by 2025.
“According to our statistics, in 2021 investments in the tourism industry which were mostly in the accommodation sector grew by 147 percent totalling US$180,4 million from US$72,9 million recorded in 2020,” said VP Chiwenga.
The tourism industry, alongside agriculture, manufacturing and mining, is one of the key pillars that drive the economy towards attainment of an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Tourism was hard hit by Covid-19 and Government collaborated with HAZ and other tourism stakeholders to launch the national vaccination exercise in Victoria Falls and the city became one of the first destinations to attain herd immunity in the world.
VP Chiwenga said Government commends efforts of the tourism industry for taking a lead during the most difficult time, especially setting the pace for the massive vaccination programme at a time when the general citizenry was hesitant to be vaccinated.
He said developments in tourism infrastructure continue to attract not only tourists, but also major international conferences such as the International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa (ICASA) which Zimbabwe recently won the bid to host in 2023.
Victoria Falls will also host a global population conference in June next year.
A number of hotels and lodges have been built over the years as Victoria Falls grows into a destination of choice.
“We are delighted to witness the construction of new hotels and new investments in the hospitality industry especially in Victoria Falls which is a designated special economic zone.
“May I therefore, urge potential investors to take advantage of the special incentives that accrue from investing in the special economic zone as well as listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange Market,” said VP Chiwenga.
He challenged the industry to fully exploit opportunities that were unlocked by Zimbabwe’s participation at the recent Dubai 2020 Expo where the country was marketed as a worldclass tourist destination.
“The Engagement and Re-engagement policy that is currently being championed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has also boosted the image of Zimbabwe as a tourism destination of choice for both international visitors and investors,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe is endowed with tourist attractions which makes tourism one of the potential drivers of the Government’s agenda on devolution and decentralisation.
He implored the private sector to partner Government identifying opportunities for investments to grow the provincial economies and effectively contribute to the achievement President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no-one and no place behind in economic development.
VP Chiwenga said tourism is sensitive to external shocks such as pandemics and global financial crises and to cushion the sector, there is a need to promote strong and resilient domestic market for the tourism sector.
He applauded the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority for the domestic marketing campaign ZimBho, which seeks to encourage locals to visit local tourist destinations.
“Government wishes to see more private sector players coming to the party with value-for-money packages that allow domestic tourists to also enjoy their God-given leisure resources.”
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