The Zimbabwean Tourism sector has been graced with 12 brand new Foton single cabs vehicles by the ministry of tourism which will be used by tourism officers in their respective provinces.
The vehicles will ensure effective mobility for tourism officers to travel across their provinces during the course of their duties.
Speaking at the launch in Harare today, Minister of Environment, Climate Tourism And Hospitality Industry, Hon Mangaliso Ndhlovu emphasised that since the tourism sector was diversifying there was need to give provincial officers vehicles for them to expedite the tourism industry beginning with lower levels.
“My Ministry has taken heed of the Devolution thrust put in place by the Second Republic, where decentralization of personnel and functions to provinces is key. Of late, the Ministry’s Tourism activities at policy level where centered at Head Office, creating the desire to decentralize authority to provinces. Indeed, as the custodians, of both natural and man-made resources, provinces need to be empowered to develop tourism at grassroots level.
“To date, my Ministry has deployed 9 Provincial Tourism Officers to Provinces in support of the Devolution process. The primary role of these Officers in the Provinces is to ensure meaningful contribution of the tourism sector to the Provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP), focusing mainly on the programmes outlined in the National Development Strategy (NDS1),” said Minister Ndhlovu.
Minister Ndhlovu added that the tourism industry was affected by the Covid-19 virus. However he insisted that the sector was now focusing on improving domestic tourism industry
“Yes, we are very much aware of challenges the Tourism Sector is facing in terms of implementing set targets due to Covid-19, but however, this has served as an awakening call for the sector to shift direction towards promoting domestic market and tourism product development. In this regard, my Ministry has embarked on a robust product identification drive with a view to increase the product base and enhance visitors’ experience,” he said.
The primary role of the tourism officers in the Provinces is to ensure meaningful contribution of the tourism sector to the Provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP), focusing mainly on the programmes outlined in the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
They are expected to operate under the Provincial Development Coordinators to initiate meaningful Tourism projects be they by the private sector, the Government and by communities to drive overall Tourism growth.
