By Tafanana Kwedu
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday launched the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy (NTRGS) in Victoria Falls.
The NTRGS among other things is set to rejuvenate the tourism sector which is hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure that the tourism sector contributes immensely to Vision 2030 and that the tourism industry becomes a US$5 billion economy by 2025.
Speaking at the launch President Mnangagwa said the tourism strategy will boldly position the sector for robust growth.
“National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy is anchored in Zimbabwe’s vision to be a prime tourist destination based on sustainable exploitation of unique natural and historic heritage.”
“The Tourism sector has a role to play in the attainment of national economic development goals alongside other key sectors,” he said.
He said the US$5bn economy target for tourism by 2025 is achievable as other new areas were being developed to accommodate tourists.
“Beyond focus on Victoria Falls, government has unveiled tourism investment opportunities around Tugwi Mukosi, Kanyemba and Binga, areas with equal opportunities to develop unique tourism products.”
President Mnangagwa said a ZW$500 million government guarantee package has been set aside to assist the tourism sector recover from the Covid-19 impact.
He urged the tourism sector to re-examine its business model to grow their operations and to maintain recommended best practices to curb the spread of the COVID-19 so that hotels and resorts would not be infection platforms.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has officially re-opened the Victoria Falls Rainforest and Mbanor Manor Hotel in Victoria Falls.
The hotel, situated near the Zambezi National Park, has 19 suites of which 18 are standard. The project is one of the new investments in the tourism sector that is set to change the face of the resort town.
The tourism industry is one of the country’s major foreign currency earners and employs a significant number of the country’s population especially in resort areas like Kariba, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Chimanimani and Nyanga.
