Liberty Dube and Dr Benjamin Chimoyo
MANICALAND, a province blessed with a wealth of stunning natural wonders, is a treasure trove of tourism potential.
The region is home to the renowned Eastern Highlands, which is the complement of the picturesque Vumba, Nyanga, and Chimanimani areas, each offering a diverse array of activities.
Visitors can immerse themselves in hiking, birdwatching, sightseeing, and water-based recreational pursuits, while also enjoying rich cultural experiences with the local communities.
These attractions not only draw visitors from across Zimbabwe but also captivate international tourists, significantly contributing to the region’s tourism revenue.
However, despite this immense potential, there is an urgent need for strategic initiatives to maximise the financial benefits from Manicaland’s myriad tourist sites, particularly its magnificent waterfalls and other natural wonders.
By leveraging these attractions more effectively, the province can boost its revenue generation and, at the same time, minimise the leakage of funds that often occurs in the tourism sector.
Tourism leakage refers to the loss of revenue that occurs when money generated by tourism is not reinvested into the local economy.
This often happens when tourism businesses are foreign-owned, meaning profits are siphoned out of the region rather than being reinvested in local communities or services.
This undermines the potential for tourism to fuel sustainable local development.
To address this issue, Manicaland must adopt strategies that keep more of the revenue generated by tourism within the region.
By focusing on local ownership and investment in tourism infrastructure, the province can ensure that the economic benefits are reinvested in the community.
This approach could significantly increase the region’s Gross Domestic Product contribution, as the tourism sector’s growth directly impacts key components of GDP, such as consumption, investment, and government spending.
Manicaland’s rich tourism offerings — from the majestic waterfalls in Vumba, Mutare, Buhera, Mutasa, Nyanga, and Chimanimani, to the sacred and historic cultural heritage sites, continue to attract a steady stream of local, regional, and international visitors.
But is the province fully capitalising on the revenue potential these sites offer?
Are local businesses, communities, and governments doing enough to harness the wealth of resources that tourism provides?
There is a growing consensus that tourism is a critical sector in the national economy, providing significant contributions to both the well-being of citizens and the economic objectives of the government.
With the right focus on minimizing leakage and increasing local participation, Manicaland can transform its natural and cultural assets into a powerhouse for economic growth, ensuring that the region enjoys the full benefits of its rich tourism offerings.
By doing so, Manicaland can become a model of sustainable tourism development, where the local economy thrives, and the beauty of its landscapes and culture is preserved for future generations.
Guided by the GDP components, Manicaland can reduce economic leakages and consequently increase its contribution to the nation.
GDP is a fundamental economic indicator that embodies the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period.
The components of GDP are consumption, investment, Government spending, and net exports (exports minus imports). Each of these elements play a vital role in modelling the economic landscape of a nation.
Consumption
Consumption refers to the total value of all goods and services consumed by households.
Tourists visiting Manicaland spend money on a variety of services, including accommodation, food, transportation, vehicle hiring and entertainment. This spending directly increases consumption within the province.
The local governance should aim to continue promoting local ownership of the entire supply chain of these services.
Mutare has very few hotels and accommodation facilities and this consequently imply inadequacy of infrastructure relating to accommodation that cannot house a huge number of visiting tourists.
Local residents also benefit from increased consumption due to higher demand for local products and services, such as crafts and agricultural goods, driven by tourist interest.
Investment
GDP investment includes spending on capital goods that will be used for future production, such as infrastructure, equipment, and buildings.
The growth of tourism encourages investments in infrastructure, such as roads, hotels, and recreational facilities.
Improved infrastructure not only supports tourism but also enhances the quality of life for residents.
Private sector investments in tourism-related businesses (hotels, tour operators) contribute to economic growth and job creation, leading to a more robust local economy.
In Nyanga there are a notable number of posh hotels and accommodation facilities but very few are up to standard shopping centers, filling stations as well as fast foods outlets.
Investing in such infrastructure will ensure all revenues generated through tourist economic activities will not leak away.
Investment in conservation and maintenance of National parks such as the Nyanga and Chimanimani National Parks as well as heritage sites such as Mutare museum supports sustainable tourism, ensuring that natural resources are preserved for future generations.
Net exports
Net exports are the difference between a country’s exports and imports.
A positive net export value indicates that a country exports more than it imports.
Tourism can be seen as an export service, where international visitors (exports) come to Manicaland and spend money, bringing foreign currency into the local economy.
This influx of foreign currency strengthens the national economy and contributes positively to Zimbabwe’s balance of payments, ultimately supporting GDP growth.
To promote domestic tourism and ensure its contribution to GDP, Manicaland may include developing unique local experiences, investing in infrastructure, promoting cultural heritage, supporting local businesses, utilising digital marketing, collaborating with community stakeholders, fostering sustainable tourism practices, and actively managing tourism flows to avoid over-tourism.
The potential of Manicaland’s tourism sector to enhance Zimbabwe’s GDP is clear.
By capitalising on its natural beauty and cultural heritage, the province can become a cornerstone of national economic growth.
There is need for stakeholders, including the government and local communities, to work together and promote sustainable tourism practices that will not only boost GDP but also enrich the lives of the people in the region.
