by Derick Tsimba
Fifteen million has been set aside for tourism projects in Zimbabwe’s 10 Provinces, the Minister of Tourism has said.
Addressing Zimbabweans living in London at the Zimbabwe Embassy recently, the Minister of Tourism, Hospitality and Environment, Prisca Mupfumira, said, all of Zimbabwe’s 10 Provinces were going to be explored to promote tourism projects.
"The Ministry will be deploying 10 tourism officers to explore all the Provinces immediately. 15$ Million has been set aside for tourism projects. Funds are available to support cultural villages. Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is going to fund cultural villages throughout the country. Tsholotsho, Nyanga and Masvingo are going to be explored first. We should be proud of our cultural projects,” she said.
She also said lots of land was available for those who intended to venture into the tourism Industry.
"The President of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, is willing to donate land to anyone who comes up with an initiative in the tourism industry. 26% of all land in Zimbabwe is owned by National Parks...there are a lot of viable opportunities in the tourism industry. Zimbabwe Development Authority is at the advanced stage to facilitate a one stop office for company registration," she said.
The Minister of Tourism also said, at Victoria Falls, the elderly and disabled are not charged for visiting.
"The elderly and disabled enter Victoria Falls for free and night views are now open until 10 pm. As from January next year, charges are going down from $7 to $2 for Zimbabweans," she said.
Speaking on the state of Zimbabwe’s economy to the diasporan community, the Minister said shortages that occurred on the market were a result of panic buying on the part of citizens.
"All supplies of basic commodities like wheat, cooking oil and fuel have been confirmed to be sufficient and there was no need for panic buying. Government has resolved to prioritize manufacturers for foreign currency allocations to ensure availability of goods regardless of panic buying in the foreseeable future," the Minister said.
