TOURISM stakeholders from across the country met in Harare on Wednesday to review and update the National Tourism Policy which was drafted in 2014.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief director for tourism and hospitality, Tarirai Musonza, said: “We are here to review and update the National Tourism Policy objectives, targets and map the way forward.”
ZTA executive director for special projects, Reason Machigere, said the meeting followed nationwide consultative workshops.
Zimbabwe recorded an increase of 52,3% in passengers for both domestic and international flights in 2022 compared to the previous year.
This came as the tourism sector continued to rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency.
Statistics from the ZTA show that tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe fell by 40% in 2021, to 375 799 from 630 369 in 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19.
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Government says the tourism industry generated US$672,9 million in earnings last year, up 133% from US$288,8 million in 2021.
International finance corporate consultant, Shepherd Nyaruwata, said there was room for boost revenue in the sector.
“Therefore, the mission of the policy is to deliver high quality and sustainable tourism products and services that contribute to the national economic development of Zimbabwe,” Nyaruwata said.
World Bank acting country manager, Fadzai Mukonoweshuro, said they were offering technical assistance in the tourism policy review exercise.