Business Reporter
THE re-start of the tourism sector and ongoing related infrastructure investments should yield more benefits for grassroot communities who were severely affected by the disruptive Covid-19 impact, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has said.

Government recently gave the tourism sector the nod to resume all activities, including domestic and international travel, after five months of closure due to Covid-19 lockdown measures. The move has excited the sector, which was on the brink of total collapse.

About 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s tourism is anchored on wildlife conservation (parks, conservancies) situated within rural areas of Zimbabwe.

“There have been infrastructural developments and tourism-related amenities to serve the tourists visiting these areas. These developments have not only benefitted the tourists but our grassroots communities scattered around Zimbabwe,” ZTA acting chief executive, Mr Givemore Chidzidzi, said.

He said the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority was working with more than 40 community based tourism projects in both urban and rural communities throughout the country.

“The objective is to empower communities through tourism. These projects range from accommodation, cultural heritage, crafts and festivals run and organised by communities. These projects are improving the livelihoods and quality of life of our communities,” said Mr Chidzidzi.

“Opportunities for tourism growth are vast within our rural communities, thus local and international investors are encouraged to invest in these areas and continue to drive rural development.”

Economic experts are convinced harnessing the power of tourism to drive rural development will contribute towards the achievement of the national vision of “becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030”.

For tourism and rural development to be sustainable, Mr Chidzidzi said it is imperative for locals to participate in tourism hence the thrust to promote domestic tourism as envisaged in the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy.

“As Zimbabwe slowly opens up, the sector will be resuming operations under the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health and Child Care guidelines,” said Mr Chidzidzi.

He said the opening was a relief to the entire tourism sector, particularly rural communities that have limited capacity to cope with the impact of the crisis.

Mr Chidzidzi was speaking ahead of this year’s upcoming tourism day celebrations later this month.The World Tourism Day set for September 27 every year was founded by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) with an aim of fostering awareness among the international community, of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.

The theme this year is, “Tourism and Rural Development”, which seeks to unpack the potential of tourism to create opportunities and jobs at the same time preserving natural and cultural heritage.

“The country’s tourism sector over the years has gone an extra mile by dedicating the whole month of September as the “tourism month”, a commitment of the tourism industry to make the sector thrive,” said Mr Chidzidzi.

“As we celebrate the tourism month under an unprecedented period where the sector has been severely affected by Covid-19, we reflect as the tourism board on how we have been working to empower rural communities especially the women and youth to benefit from tourism.”