The Government of Zimbabwe has announced the establishment of National Tourism Facilitation committee to ease travelling to and within the Southern African Nation.
The Vice President Constantino Chiwenga disclosed this when he officially opened the 11th Sanganai Hlanwagai World Tourism Expo at a packed Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
Addressing a packed audience comprising diplomats, international buyers, industry stakeholders and the media the vice president said the tourism sector in particular, presented a huge opportunity for growth and was a major beneficiary of the on-going economic reforms championed by President Mnangagwa.
“We can make our destination competitive or uncompetitive depending on the efficience and effectiveness for facilitation at the port of entry and exits. The sole end to that aforementioned is for government to establish a national tourism facilitation Centre whose main role is to ease the movement of tourists at the ports of entry and within the country”
Dr Chiwenga also said coupled with the port infrastructure and upgrading especially bad bridge and kasawere boarder post will be given attention.
He believed that the upgrading of these boarder posts will assist the country to regain lost market share especially the self drive from South Africa he added”
The Vice President challenged the Tourism Ministry and its agency the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to increase arrivals from their biggest source market which is South Africa.
He added that, Zimbabwe will continue engaging the international community and open up investment opportunities, as Government forges ahead with its drive to transform the economy and improve livelihoods for its citizens.
The City of Kings is hosting one of Africa’s prime tourism and travel showcases, which has attracted 325 companies and 150 buyers.
There are 23 countries participating at this year’s exhibition, housing more than 77 companies in sharing stands, which is the highest recorded since the re-branding of the expo.
