The ManicaPost
KudakwasheChidziya Post Correspondent recently in Chimanimani
Government is seeking investors to facilitate the rehabilitation of tourism infrastructure destroyed by cyclone Idai in Chimanimani to spur economic growth in the district.
Minister of Tourism, Environment and Hospitality PriscaMupfumira on Wednesday said Chimanimani was a tourism hub and the district could leverage on this sector for development.
She said there was need for urgent revamp of Chimanimani area.
“Chimanimani and the Eastern highlands are some of the strategic regions for tourism considering its scenic beauty. It has a lot to offer.
‘‘People should not just focus on Victoria falls and great Zimbabwe. The eastern region is natural and that is what attracts tourists. The nation can actually generate a lot of revenue from the eastern region’s tourism.
“As the tourism entity, we are going to lure investors who will help with infrastructural development. Tourism needs accommodation. There is need to build more lodges and hotels which will help in accommodating the visiting tourists,” she said
Cyclone Idai destroyed some of the lodges and hotels leaving the district with a shortage of accommodation for tourists.
Tourism is one of the key sectors earmarked to generate revenue for the country.
“Manicaland’s scenery on its own is something which can transform the tourism sector here in Zimbabwe. Chimanimani in particular has a good scenery and in the region agro-tourism is also practised. As the tourism department together with Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, we are going to facilitate an early revamp of the area so that it regains its status as a tourist destination,” said Minister Mupfumira.
