Staff Reporter
GWERU – The Midlands region plans to capitalise on domestic tourism, generate revenue and create jobs for local communities.
Speaking during a tour of Antelope Park on the outskirts of Gweru, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Midlands region manager Lindarose Ntuli said they were happy that they had done well for 2024 and want to improve during the festive season.
“We are happy with where we are in terms of occupancy and we hope for improvement in terms of the festive season,” she said.
Ntuli said they hope to use the recently launched Travel Zimbabwe campaign to boost tourism in the province.
“Locals are being encouraged to visit local destinations within provinces and we will be focusing on Gadavaroyi in Gokwe, and new hotels being built around the province.
“We are looking at new self-catering facilities coming up in Zvishavane. That all together should help to improve our product offering and hopefully attract new markets to the province,” she said.
Ntuli said they have new products for 2025 being launched in the province and the Travel Zimbabwe campaign should also improve performance.
Antelope managing director Malcolm Smith said they are consistently trying to review their systems, rates and encourage local market to visit for both activities and accommodation to counter the tough economic situation.
“We are currently running some good specials available online where we are trying to encourage the middle market to attend things they might not necessarily be able to attend a year ago as well as trying to encourage more of our local community to come to Antelope Park,” he said.
Smith said with the collaboration of the ZTA and other partners in the tourism industry, the industry can only go up.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Midlands Owen Ncube said he was impressed by Antelope Park’s significant investment of over US$2 million in community and conservation programmes over the past decade.
He said the Midlands Province boasts of prime tourism attractions, which appeal to both the domestic and international markets.
“These include our hosts for today, Antelope Park here in Gweru, Sebakwe Recreational Park in Kwekwe, Naletale Ruins which is 67km from Gweru, Impali Rock in Shurugwi, Paper House in Kwekwe, Chirisa Game Park in Gokwe South and the only Military and Mining Museum in the country here in Gweru to mention but a few,” he said.
He said the ZimBHO campaign is focused on promoting domestic tourism, establishment of a cultural village in Gokwe North, religious tourism in Gokwe South at Defe, and revamping wildlife conservancies at Chirisa Game Park in Gokwe South among others.
Minister Ncube said in 2022 the tourism sector grew by 18,2 percent to the Midlands Gross Domestic Product assuming second place to mining, agriculture, and manufacturing among other key sectors.
Antelope Park employs over 100 people, primarily from the nearby Mkoba township thereby contributing to employment creation.
Antelope Park is one of Zimbabwe’s renowned and award-winning private wildlife reserves.
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