BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Journalists play a critical role in promoting Zimbabwe as a safe destination of choice, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi has said.
Minister Rwodzi revealed this on Monday in Harare, during an interactive media workshop with journalists from local and international media houses.
She stated that her ministry is “an enemy to none”, hence they were going to work with journalists to tell the Zimbabwean story, which will make tourists want to visit “our national heritage.”
Minister Rwodzi also said the country was a heritage which all Zimbabweans were given by God so we should cherish it and promote it.
“As a Ministry of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry, we recognize the critical role that media plays in shaping perceptions, disseminating information, driving positive change and highlighting our natural wonders, cultural heritage, as this is instrumental in attracting visitors and investors alike.
“Your role extends beyond reporting; it is about shaping narratives, influencing perceptions, and inspiring confidence in Zimbabwe as a safe, welcoming, and vibrant destination.
“As a Ministry, we are grateful to each member of the media for your tireless efforts in showcasing Zimbabwe’s diverse tourism offerings to the world.
“Your presence here underscores the importance of our dialogue in fostering understanding, transparency, and collaboration,” she said.
Similar sentiments were also echoed by her Deputy, Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, who said such media engagements were critical in creating partnerships which help to drive country’s tourism.
He reiterated that for the country to be marketed as a destination of choice, the media had a critical role to ensure that is achieved by telling the good Zimbabwean story.
“Our ministry is the only ministry which was given the mandate by his Excellency (President Mnangagwa) to sell the country, selling it in a good way. And any company which does sales, has sales representatives or agents whom you send out with the product, and the agents are sitting in front of us.
“It’s you (journalists) who should market the country. But sometimes there is always an issue of sensational reporting, because apparently it pays to write negative things, but be at forefront to market your country.
“Be at the forefront to tell the true story about Zimbabwe. There is so much development in the country; we are under sanctions but look at what we are doing, we are progressing. Those are some of the stories that you need to talk about.
“If I were a King, I was going to Knight all of you, who will go and tell the true Zimbabwean story,” said Minister Mnangagwa.
He also emphasized that journalists should protect their country, as he also echoed President Mnangagwa’s mantra, “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.”
“That is your role, you build the image of the country, you have thousands and millions of followers in your groups, tell the Zimbabwean story, so that we build our country and we move forward.
“It is a benefit for everyone, and as visitors come, the country will also benefit,” added Minister Mnangagwa.
