By Derick Tsimba
Government through the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry has successfully partnered China in promoting tourism between the two countries in a move which is expected to ensure arrival of thousands of tourists in the country.
The Minister of Environment Tourism and Hospitality, Prisca Mupfumira recently speaking on the partnership with a Chinese company Touchroad International Holdings Group, said her Ministry had given birth to a grand initiative which shall facilitate tourism investment in the country.
This grand initiative was birthed on the 6th of April 2018 when the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and Touchroad International Holdings Group entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to facilitate investment and tourism promotion between Zimbabwe and China.
The journey to implement this MOU immediately commenced with various business exchange programs having been conducted to date. These include among others, the visit to Zimbabwe by a business delegation from Zhejiang Province led by Mr Che Jun, the Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in June 2018.
Beginning from the 16th of May this year the Ministry of Environment of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry shall witness the turnaround of its relationship with China that should see a historical group of over 343 Chinese business and leisure tourists arriving in Zimbabwe.
The MOU gives Zimbabwe the potential to attract over 10 000 visitors from Tour Africa - The New Horizon tourism project that should run for the next 5 years. With the support from Touchroad International and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Zimbabwe has potential to increase its tourism arrivals from China earlier than 2025.
Zimbabwe for the first time has received a big tourism entourage from China making it a historic event that should spell out the beginning of a lasting relationship of tourism between Zimbabwe and China.
Cooperation by Ministry of Environment with Touchroad International Holdings Group has contributed to the growth of Tourism arrivals in Zimbabwe increasing significantly, from 14 407 arrivals in 2017 to 19 428 in 2018.
The incoming Chinese tourism group would be touring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Great Zimbabwe National Monument which is one of the symbols of the great relationship between Zimbabwe and China, Harare and the iconic majestic Victoria Falls, which is one more UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, among some other attractions of Zimbabwe.
The Chinese tourism delegation to Zimbabwe should brace for a lifetime of experience as they should fully appreciate the wonders of Destination Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is full of wonderful people and a culture which is rich in history and heritage, pristine wildlife and nature. The Mythical Kariba and the Zambezi river, the mountainous range of the Eastern Highlands in addition to Great Zimbabwe and the Victoria Falls are also breathtaking scenic attractions which should amuse the Chinese delegation.
