Zim honoured to host UNWTO general assembly

zimbabwe and Zambia will host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly as part of President Mugabe’s dream to showcase the country as a world of wonders, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said. Speaking during a public lecture at the University of

Zimbabwe yesterday, Minister Mzembi said Zimbabwe would exploit the honour bestowed upon it to develop Victoria Falls to international levels.
Minister Mzembi said Government had set aside more than 1 200 hectares of land to develop permanent structures that would increase tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe expects more than three million arrivals this year.
The target is expected to exceed the 15 million targeted for 2015 after the UNWTO general assembly in August next year.

“We are hosting the UNWTO general assembly as a vision that President Mugabe had and we, as the tourism ministry what we are doing is to interpret the king’s dream,” he said.
Minister Mzembi dismissed reports that Zimbabwe would use temporary structures for the general assembly.

“We will not trivialise President Mugabe’s dream by building temporary structures for the meeting.
“Our vision is to have conference facilities that would compete with the International Conference Centre in Cape Town or facilities in Kenya or Durban in Victoria Falls,” he said.

Minister Mzembi said playing host to the UNWTO was an opportunity to build structures that would last for generations.
“It was President Mugabe’s dream that Zimbabwe hosts the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in 1992.
“It is the same vision by the same leader that would see us develop the Victoria Falls to attract more tourists into Zimbabwe.”

He said Zimbabwe would want to build structures that last for generations like what South Africa, Britain and China did after playing host to some sporting events.
Minister Mzembi said Zimbabwe was targeting citizens residing outside the country to increase tourist arrivals.
“The Diaspora contributes the largest source market for Zimbabwe. A Diaspora strategy is one of the key imperatives for attracting arrivals into Zimbabwe.”
Minister Mzembi urged Zimbabweans to work hard for the success of the meeting.

“The possibility of Zimbabwe hosting              such an event would take us another 372          years.
“We need to put the best foot forward to deliver a uniquely African general assem-          bly.
He said the UNWTO would rebrand Zimbabwe hence the need for unity in the country.

Minister Mzembi said Government wanted to develop Victoria Falls without interfering with its natural outlook.
“We have realised that Victoria Falls attracts a certain demographic group but there is a need to develop the area so that it also attracts the younger generations.”

Zimbabwe tourism is this year expected to contribute 12 percent to the GDP translating to more than US$1 billion to the economy.
The tourism and hospitality sector also expects to contribute more than 15 percent to the GDP with US$5 billion a year.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are the hosts of the UNWTO in Victoria Falls from August 21 to 28 next year.