Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE Tourism Authority (ZTA) acting chief executive, Mr Givemore Chidzidzi has said that saving jobs along the tourism value chain is at the heart of the strategic post-Covid-19 tourism recovery plan.

With the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimating that global international tourist arrivals for 2020 could decline between 20-30 percent, Zimbabwe expects arrivals to decline by a range of between 30-80 percent.

According to UNWTO, the decline is estimated to lead to loss of between US$30-50 billion in spending by international visitors (international tourism receipts) globally. Zimbabwe forecasts a decline which may lead to the loss of between US$0.5–1.1 billion in tourism receipts.

The sector is already at the deep end, having closed operations across the divide leaving thousands of staff members jobless.

In his Destination Zimbabwe Tourism Recovery draft plan themed: “Supporting jobs, serving the national economy” that was presented at an industry stakeholders workshop in Harare last week, Mr Chidzidzi said the plan outlines measures to be undertaken by Government, the tourism industry and stakeholders towards addressing the negative effects of Covid-19 on the tourism sector.

He noted that the decline in international arrivals in Africa was less than 10 percent whereas overseas markets had a decline of more than 10 percent with Asia and Europe both experiencing a 20 percent decline.

The Middle East, however, had an increase of 20 percent, said Mr Chidzidzi.

In this regard, he said domestic tourism, which currently contributes 30 percent to the total tourism receipts has been singled out as key in post-Covid-19 tourism recovery efforts. This thrust, however, requires thorough review of the domestic cost structure so as to entice local travellers, experts say. Over the years domestic tourism has lagged behind as travellers felt accommodation and other service packages were beyond the reach of many.

“The Tourism Recovery Plan seeks to among other things; provide relief packages to affected tourism businesses including small business within the tourism value chain, provide a soft landing for the tourism industry as they re-open their enterprises to the market, save and secure jobs from being lost in the tourism value chain,” said Mr Chidzidzi.

He said the broader focus of the sector recovery strategy was also to re-establish contact with the local, regional and international tourism market as well as re-assure confidence in the market place and encourage visitors to travel to and within Zimbabwe, thereby, boosting tourist arrivals and tourism revenue.

Mr Chidzidzi said the interventions will be buttressed by rollout campaigns informing the marketplace that Zimbabwe’s tourism business is back.

Against this backdrop, the UNWTO has recommended measures for tourism recovery post Covid-19 pandemic.

These include financial and political support for recovery measures targeting the tourism sector in the most affected countries and recovery measures and incentives to be planned and implemented in coordination with international development and donor organisations.

The global tourism body has also recommended that tourism support includes in the wider recovery plans and actions of affected economies.

The UNWTO has since pledged to provide guidance and support for recovery measures of its members, the private and public tourism sector, including organisers of tourism events and fairs. Stakeholders have also stressed the need to reassure the world source markets of their safety in various destinations.