By Derick Tsimba

Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry (METHI) will be hosting the third edition of Africa Youth in Tourism Conference.

The conference shall be held in Bulawayo this year during this month of October.

On its Facebook page METHI said the conference was meant to promote the acceleration of investment capacity in the tourism industry by youths.

“This 3rd edition is being hosted in Bulawayo from 10-12 October 2019. The conference will see young people and tourism stakeholders discuss and map the course for the effective participation of young people in tourism. Promotion of youth participation in the tourism sector is in line with the SDG’s, in particular goal number eight relating to promotion of decent work and economic growth, and this is in sync with policies enunciated by the Government of Zimbabwe.

“Promotion of youth participation is also in sync with the program of works on the promotion and participation of Women and Youth in the Tourism Sector promulgated by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). An exhibition will be held on the sidelines of this Conference and as a run up to the conference the Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism will hold National Tourism Debates comprising of 29 local tertiary institutions. These will use the platform to contribute to the tourism policy discourse,” said the Ministry.   

This year’s conference runs under the theme ‘Changing Africa’s Future by accelerating Investment Capacity in Youth for Sustainable Tourism Development.’  The conference shall be attended by people interested in the Tourism business from Zimbabwe and across Africa.