The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube recently in Nyanga
THREE schools that emerged victorious in the National High Schools Quiz competitions held during the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo last week had an opportunity to tour Nyanga in a bid to popularise sustainable tourism among young people.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) runs the National High School sQuiz competition on sustainable tourism whose national finals are held during the annual Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
The three schools — St Columbus High, Mpopoma High and Montrose High — toured Nyangombe Falls, Rhodes Museum, Trout Hatchery, Mtarazi Falls, Nyanga Mountain among other majestic areas during the three-day adventure.
ZTA area manageress Ropafadzo Dunira said the tour was aimed at creating an appreciation of the benefits and problems arising from various forms of tourism, especially in terms of social equity and the environment, among learners.
“The event was aimed at developing a critical awareness of the ways in which tourism can enhance the protection of our natural and cultural heritage as well as promoting a personal commitment to forms of tourism that maximise, rather than detract, from sustainable human development and environmental quality.
“We are happy that the pupils managed to get an appreciation of the majestic areas in Nyanga and learnt about the importance of sustainable tourism.”
National Monuments and Museums eastern region marketing and public relations officer Lloyd Makonya said: “We have a duty to continue creating awareness about maintaining the aesthetic value of our cultural heritage sites and practices.
“High schools form a key target market which we need to exploit. There is room to synchronise our conservation activities with other stakeholders with similar interests.
“There is a room for expanded growth of the programme especially among high schools whose market we have been facing challenges to penetrate.”
“This programme has the potential to improve the preservation and transmission of cultural and historical traditions through our young people.
“There is potential to help contribute to conservation and sustainable management efforts of natural and cultural heritage sites as well as natural resources.”
