Beatrice Imbayago

ZIMBABWE needs to upgrade its infrastructure in order to meet demands of the world tourism industry.

“Tourism has great potential to become one of the key contributors to foreign currency generation into the country. Yet still, Zimbabwe lags behind other destinations on many fronts, in terms of adequate and world-class tourism facilities, support infrastructure and ancillary,” said the Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa,

Dr Munyanyiwa urged Zimbabweans to upgrade their infrastructure in order for them to cope up with the world tourism demands.”

He said there was need for investors to come and develop infrastructure which would help increase the flow of tourists into the country.

“There are abundant opportunities for public private partnerships in tourism infrastructure through which investors can gain quick entry into the sector,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Douglas Mavhemu.

He urged stakeholders not to scare away investors but rather to create a conducive environment to attract them.

“Let’s not scare away investors with harsh laws; we must try to create an environment that is investor-friendly so that our infrastructure is developed,” he said.

Evidence Ruziwa, a representative from the Immigration Department said as a country there was need to maintain investor confidence and trust using checks and balances to eliminate fraudulent activities.

Ruziwa said there is need for capacity-building in the sector so that players would be ready for investors.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), Zimbabwe’s tourism sector witnessed significant growth in the first quarter of 2024. International tourist arrivals rose by 83 percent, from 211,054 in the first quarter of 2023 to 409,979 in the first quarter of 2024.

Tourism and mining are among the top drivers of economic development in Zimbabwe.

New Ziana