Zimbabwe is hoping the tourism sector will receive a boost from the comparatively successful coronavirus vaccine rollout, during the local Tourism Month in September.
Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Nqobizitha Ndlovu said the administration would make the most of the boost in confidence from the positive vaccine campaign to attract more tourists.
"We look forward to a change in fortunes in the third quarter of this year and beyond based on the strides made in the global vaccination campaign and our own efforts to make Zimbabwe a safe travel destination," Ndlovu said.
Zimbabwe’s government has acquired more than 12 million vaccines out of the 20 million target, as it looks to inoculate 10 million people in order to reach herd immunity.
The Tourism Month theme for 2021 is ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’ with the national event taking place in Bindura, Mashonaland Central.
"In view of the foregoing, I call upon the tourism industry in its entirety to use this year's celebrations to showcase the various ways that their tourism businesses can and have promoted inclusive growth and changed livelihoods," Ndlovu went on to say.
Tourism is key to the recovery and growth of Zimbabwe’s economy, as highlighted in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) government blueprint:
"Inclusive growth is central to the target set out in NDS1 hence this year's celebrations present us with an opportunity to reaffirm the need to grow our tourism inclusively without leaving anyone behind," Ndlovu added.
A tourism symposium and innovation expos will also be held within the Tourism Month, aiming to attract as many visitors to the country as possible. At its peak, Zimbabwe received over 2.5 million tourists per year, whereas arrivals to the country declined by 11% to 2,294 million in 2019.
These visitor numbers dropped further last year by 74% and an additional 72% in the first half of this year due to the pandemic.
Zimbabwe Dollar falls to record low ahead of currency announcement
The Zimbabwean currency has fallen to another all-time low as residents sought refuge in the stability of the US dollar amid speculation the central bank is on the verge of making an announcement regarding the future of the local currency.
posted on 03.04.2024
RBZ urges govt incentives on diaspora investments
Zimbabwe’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), called on the government on Monday to provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to diaspora investments due to their massive contribution to total foreign currency inflows in the country.
posted on 05.12.2023
Zimbabwe Dollar falls to record low ahead of currency announcement
The Zimbabwean currency has fallen to another all-time low as residents sought refuge in the stability of the US dollar amid speculation the central bank is on the verge of making an announcement regarding the future of the local currency.
posted on 03.04.2024
RBZ urges govt incentives on diaspora investments
Zimbabwe’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), called on the government on Monday to provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to diaspora investments due to their massive contribution to total foreign currency inflows in the country.
posted on 05.12.2023
deVere Zimbabwe’s Public Relations Department deals with all areas of the media and external communications including international, national, regional, local, trade, consumer, print, broadcast, social and online. The Department aims to provide a helpful service to journalists, broadcasters and editors, amongst others, and reply to all media enquiries, including urgent enquiries out of hours, within agreed deadlines. Our press office does not have access to client details and will not be able to assist with individual client enquiries. Please contact deVere Zimbabwe’s Head of Public Relations on [email protected] or call +44 2071220925