His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa saying ZimBho
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Tourism took centre stage at the Zimbabwe Business Forum held in New York, with the country using the platform to showcase its attractions and investment opportunities to the American market.
The forum, held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), was presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa under the theme, “Global Challenges. Zimbabwean Solutions. Shared Prosperity.”
Zimbabwe used the business forum to market its tourism and investment opportunities, with President Mnangagwa inviting American travellers and investors to experience the country’s heritage, wildlife and cultural offerings.
He highlighted major attractions such as Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park as some of the destinations Zimbabwe has to offer.
Making the tourism and investment case, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Chief Executive Officer Dr George Manyaya said the country had the capacity to provide a complete tourism experience through the Six A’s of Tourism-Attractions, Accessibility, Accommodation, Amenities, Activities and Ancillary Services.
Dr Manyaya also highlighted the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, a 1 200-hectare development in Victoria Falls designated for tourism and financial services.
He said a comprehensive feasibility study for bulk infrastructure had been completed, while the cadastral survey for the first 271.5-hectare phase had also been completed.
Dr Manyaya said the United States remained strategically important to Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, describing it as the country’s largest international tourist source market.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi also attended the forum and participated in business-to-business engagements aimed at strengthening tourism and investment linkages between Zimbabwe and the American market.
The engagements come as Zimbabwe continues to position tourism as an important contributor to economic growth while seeking to attract more international visitors and investment into the sector.
The business forum provided Zimbabwe with an opportunity to present its tourism assets, investment opportunities and the country’s readiness to engage the global market.
Zimbabwe continues to promote itself as “A Friend to All and An Enemy to None”, while positioning the country as an open destination for tourism, business and investment.
