THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has expressed confidence in the ability of the tourism sector to register positive figures this year driven by aggressive marketing and renewed investor confidence.
Zimbabwe which recorded a 3% drop in tourist arrivals during the first half of 2019, is projecting a strong performance this year, which will set the tone for the realisation of the targeted 7 billion United States dollars in tourism earnings by 2030.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Givemore Chidzidzi spoke on the prospects that lie ahead.
“We are confident of reversing the slowdown experienced during the first half of 2019. We are hopeful of positive prospects for the sector. Arrivals are expected to surge this year and will be driven by business events and leisure travel,” said Mr Chidzidzi.
Prospects of new airlines serving the Zimbabwean route in 2020, investor appetite and the positive reviews from reputable international media organisations have also excited the tourism sector.
According to the domestic tourism promotion body, the new decade is crucial for the industry which is expected to be a major contributor to foreign currency earnings.
“We are still convinced that the 7-billion-dollar earnings target by 2030 is still achievable. The new decade will be important for the sector and we are going to do everything we can to meet the 2030 targets,” he added.
The country’s tourism sector is on a rebound after decades of subdued performance due to bad publicity.
