African Development Bank to fund domestic tourism

19 Oct, 2014 - 06:10 0 Views
African Development Bank to fund domestic tourism Min. W. Mzembi

The Sunday Mail

“In order to stimulate investment in the tourism industry, the Government has provided incentives that allow the duty- free importation of capital goods and safari vehicles that are used in the sector. Tourism is one of the key economic drivers in Zimbabwe.”
Min. W. Mzembi

Min. W. Mzembi

GOVERNMENT has engaged the African Development Bank (AfDB) to bankroll its Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) programme around the country.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi said the grant would be used to promote community-based tourism initiatives.

Recently, the country celebrated the World Tourism Day at Matendera Monument in Buhera with the aim of raising awareness of the significance of tourism to communities.

“My ministry, supported by the African Development Bank, is developing a programme to capacitate selected CBTEs to enhance their continued viability, while at the same time maximising the diverse skills, knowledge and experience that exist within our communities.

“Communities through the CBTEs will continue to participate in the preservation of the natural and man-made resources to ensure sustainability of tourism activities.

“I also urge the business community and the rest of the country to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities.

“I wish to emphasise that the business community should create linkages with communities in order to reduce leakages and maximise revenue inflow into the province,” Eng Mzembi said.

He went on: “Leakages are tourism income which does not reach or remain in the community. These leakages are countered through linkages.

“In order to stimulate investment in the tourism industry, the Government has provided incentives that allow the duty-free importation of capital goods and safari vehicles that are used in the sector.

“Tourism is one of the key economic drivers in Zimbabwe, contributing 10 percent of gross domestic product.

“It is one of the four pillars earmarked to drive the economy alongside agriculture, mining and manufacturing.”

It is estimated that CBTEs contribute between US$10 million and US$15 million to the economy yearly, while communities involved in the projects are enhancing interest in managing and maintaining the natural environment.

The facilities provide a diverse product offering and target market based on wilderness experience and specialist activities such as sport fishing and bird watching, with most catering for day visiting (hiking, cultural centres, cave paintings), basic overnight accommodation (camp sites, bashas, chalets) and crafts sales.

Through the CBTEs, locals are assisted to manage their natural and cultural resources in a sustainable manner, derive income from these resources and determine how this income will be utilised.

The tourism sector is expected to contribute 15 percent to GDP, generate US$1,8 billion in foreign currency from the current US$749 million and to increase tourist arrivals from 2,5 million to 3,2 million by 2015.

According to the 2013 UN World Tourism Organisation Barometer, tourism is generating more than US$1,2 trillion in revenue from at least one billion arrivals.

However, Southern Africa contributes just 2 percent of this in both arrivals and revenue.

Regional tourist arrivals are expected to grow at an average 5 percent annually in line with the UNWTO Vision 2020 projections for Africa.

Tourist Arrivals in Southern Africa are expected to grow from the current estimated 21 million to over 35 million arrivals by 2020.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds