The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
NEWLY-ELECTED Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe national vice-president, Mr Brian Nyakutombwa, has pledged to ensure the viability and survival of the tourism sector, saying he will stir the ship to dizzy heights during the Covid-19 period and beyond.
Mr Nyakutombwa, who is also Montclair Hotel and Casino general manager, was elected into office at the HAZ annual congress recently held in Harare and will deputise Victoria Falls Hotel general manager, Mr Farai Chimba, who was elected president.
Mr Chimba takes over from Mr Clive Chinwada who was at the helm since 2019.
Ms Emmah Kativhu will be co-vice president.
Mr Chimba said there is a critical need for tourism in Manicaland to be extensively marketed so that the sector can contribute meaningfully towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product in line with National Development Strategy 1.
“I am determined to work towards stirring the tourism sector forward and ensure its viability and survival, especially during this difficult period of Covid-19. We are determined to ensure that the tourism industry continues running and device ways to stay afloat so that people, for instance in hotels, lodges and tourism sites, remain employed, notwithstanding the negative impact that has happened and may happen due to the pandemic.
“We want to take the industry forward so that it is competitive internationally as we need to claim our stake in the global village and attract the international community.
“We are keen to see domestic tourism taking off since it is a low hanging fruit. People are there and resources are there. There is need for co-ordination between tourism players and local tourists. It is now important for us players to make local tourists understand the importance of domestic tourism, what they need, and that they can afford to enjoy local packages. I want to rally tourism players to come up with exciting, affordable, win-win packages that will encourage people to travel and see what local tourism packages offer,” he said.
Addressing delegates at the congress, Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu said he believes the banking sector will shrug off challenges and be positive on funding the tourism sector.
“As Government, we take note of the scepticism that the banking sector has shown in funding the tourism sector. Regardless of the current Covid-19 induced turn-down, we remain optimistic that this sector as a key foreign currency generator will withstand the current challenges as you have done to date. It is therefore imperative that Government also moves in to help you mitigate the funding risks that you face by establishing the Tourism Revolving Fund.
“Globally, international tourist arrivals dropped by 65 percent from January to May this year. Arrivals into Africa during the same period fell by 81 percent compared to last year, while arrivals into Zimbabwe during the first half of 2021 decreased by 72 percent.
“Faced with this scenario, the industry has to be resilient and more creative to win the trust of tourists who are still fearful to travel and do more to deliver utmost care to health and hygiene standards and higher levels of customer care,” he said.
The event was held under the theme ‘Re-imagining and navigating the tourism and hospitality recovery journey.’
He added: “What is encouraging is that even though there is a marked decrease in tourist arrivals, the sector has registered a noble increase in the investments, particularly in hotel accommodation. Numerous facilities are currently under development and a number of refurbishments are taking place on various facilities even during this difficult era. Our assessment, based in data from Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, is that during the year to date, over US$100 000 million has been invested in new tourism facilities.”
