Claver Nyuki

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Bulawayo, Judith Ncube revealed that her office, together with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) maintain an open door policy to all potential investors in the city's tourism sector and other areas of interest.

Minister Ncube was speaking at the buyers’ cocktail organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) at the National Railwaysof Zimbabwe Museum in Bulawayo yesterday.

"The City boasts of lots of business opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry including lodges and hotels.My office and the City Council are ready to engage any potential investors in this and other sectors of interest," she said.

Minister Ncube also applauded the hosting of the Tourism Expo by ZTA in Bulawayo, stressing that it has gone a long way in profiling Bulawayo as a tourist destination of choice.

"The hosting of the annual tourism showcase in Bulawayo for the past 4 years has been a much welcome move as it profiles our beautiful city and affords us opportunity to meet global tourism players like yourselves," the Minister said.

Speaking at the same occasion, NRZ General Manager, Lewis Mukwada lamented the fact that the museum was under-marketed and welcomed the partnership with the ZTA which he said he was confident would help market the museum.

"We believe that at present, our museum is severely under-marketed and the coming on board of ZTA will raise its profile both locally and internationally to new levels," he said.

He added, "It is important to add that as an organisation, we have not been doing enough to support the museum. The museum is largely self-funding and this has somehow affected its operations to operate at full throttle.”

The National Railways Museum of Zimbabwe houses one of the most historic rail coaches of Cecil John Rhodes and also has steam locomotives which carry tourists and steam enthusiasts to local tourist resource destinations.