Zimbabwe: Put country back on tourism map (editorial)
Posted by African Press International on October 17, 2009
Harare (Zimbabwe) — Zimbabwe’s tourism industry is on a rebound no doubt and this should be reflected by the mood at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel and Tourism Fair which began in Harare yesterday. The showcase, which has registered steady growth over the years, looks set to give Zimbabwe’s marketing campaign a giant leap forward with reports that a record 300 exhibitors and buyers are in attendance.
This is what Zimbabwe needs at this juncture. Tourism has been identified as one of the pillars on which economic recovery leans. We anticipate that a number of deals will be struck over the next three days as investors and buyers from across the globe sample Zimbabwe’s platter.
The economy is now projected to grow by 7 percent, with tourism expected to contribute a significant percentage to the Gross Domestic Product. The potential is there and the interest is growing. Zimbabwe needs to capitalise on the 3 percent growth on arrivals on the African continent at a time the rest of the world is experiencing a slump.
Tourism was arguably the hardest hit by the hate campaign against Zimbabwe following the launch of the land reform programme with many countries, particularly in the West, issuing travel warnings. These affected traffic flow significantly as arrivals continued to dwindle.
However, a different script is now being written in the sector as buyers and tourists warm up to the abundant opportunities in the sector.
It is in this regard that we call on operators in the sector to rise to the occasion and grab opportunities presented by the presence of such a large crowd of investors and buyers. There are immense opportunities for expansion of rooms, construction of hotels, investments in tour operations and other subsectors of the tourism industry ahead of the 2010 soccer showcase.
In fact, the ongoing Sanganai/Hlanganani should be taken as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming major event. Local operators should prove to the world that they can host visitors through the provision of world-class service.
It is not too late for Zimbabwe to claim her share of business that will be generated by the 2010 soccer fiesta. South Africa is facing a deficit of about 30 000 beds, a greater portion of which should be grabbed by Zimbabwe. Hence the present opportunity should not go to waste.
Sanganai/Hlanganani is a good example of the public-private sector partnership where the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism have come together to make the showcase a success. We hope they have done everything within their means to ensure it leaves a mark on the global platform.
The expo’s rebranding from the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo/ Shanyai Vakatshani to Sanganai/Hlanganani should also be reflected in its quality and ability to give a true picture of Zimbabwe as a tourist destination. We hope local exhibitors have given of their best and will seize opportunities likely to arise over the next few days.
Zimbabwe competes for buyers and investors with the rest of the world and hundreds of fairs are held annually across the globe. This, therefore, demands that the country puts up its best to ensure the buyers and investors will be left with no choice but to put the country back onto the world travel map.
However, as attention is focused more on the international market, operators should not lose sight of the importance of domestic tourism.
Local visitors sustained the sector when the world was misled into belie- ving that Zimbabwe was not a safe destination. Special focus should also be given to this constituency even as we host the high spenders from across the globe.
To our visitors we say enjoy what Zimbabwe has to offer and make sober business decisions based on fact rather than perception.
Together we can help make the world a better place.
source.TheHarald.Zimbabwe
