Staff Reporter
The inaugural Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo Scholastic Tourism Conference kicked off yesterday at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Grounds in Bulawayo.
The event brought together a diverse group of delegates, including academics, educational institutions, students, and key stakeholders in the tourism sector. The conference, held under the theme "Leveraging Heritage-Based Education 5.0 for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Zimbabwe, marks a significant step towards integrating education with sustainable tourism development in the country.
Guest of Honor, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira, underscored the transformative potential of heritage-based education in fostering a vibrant tourism and hospitality industry in Zimbabwe.
“Heritage-based education 5.0 is not just an academic concept; it is a strategic approach essential for the development of the tourism and hospitality industry in Zimbabwe, by integrating heritage, culture, and education, Zimbabwe is not only preserving its identity but also creating unique tourism products with the potential to attract visitors globally,” said Professor Murwira.
The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that heritage-based tourism is key to Zimbabwe’s competitive advantage.
“Heritage-based tourism is not just about showcasing our past; it’s about reimagining and reinventing our future, education plays a pivotal role in this vision. When we educate our youth on the importance of heritage and sustainability, we are planting the seeds for a thriving tourism industry that is both competitive and sustainable,” Minister Rwodzi said.
The Minister further elaborated on the need to promote conservation of cultural sites and leverage technology and research to enhance tourist experiences.
"Our approach must be comprehensive, from conserving our cultural sites to using innovative technologies to tell our stories better. The active participation of students in a pitching exercise where they present innovative tourism development ideas focusing on their respective provinces demonstrates the untapped potential of local heritage and the role of education in driving tourism growth,” Minister Rwodzi added.
A major highlight of the conference were students who brought forward creative proposals, from developing eco-friendly lodges to creating digital platforms that map cultural heritage sites, indicating a shift towards more sustainable and inclusive tourism practices.
“This conference is an eye-opener for us as students because it gives us a platform to express our ideas on how to use our rich heritage to promote tourism, we are learning how to connect our studies with real-world applications, especially in ways that can benefit our communities,” said one student presenter.
The conference comes at a time when Zimbabwe is actively seeking to revitalize its tourism sector post-pandemic. By promoting heritage-based education as a foundation for sustainable tourism development, the country hopes to attract both domestic and international tourists, capitalize on its rich cultural heritage, and create new opportunities for economic growth. The discussions and ideas generated at the Scholastic Tourism Conference 2024 are expected to lay the groundwork for policy frameworks and practical strategies that will shape the future of tourism in Zimbabwe.
As Zimbabwe continues to position itself as a premier destination in Africa, leveraging its unique cultural identity and investing in education will be critical to its success in the global tourism landscape. The Scholastic Tourism Conference has set a precedent for future collaborations that prioritizes heritage and education as drivers of tourism growth, building a tourism economy that is inclusive, innovative, and deeply rooted in Zimbabwe's heritage.
