The Sunday Mail
THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) only received a paltry US$585 000 from Treasury against a budgeted US$35 million, raising fears that the tourism promotion body will not be able to carry out its planned projects.
However, the Authority is happy that Government continues to fund projects that are key to the development of tourism in the country.
ZTA chief Mr Karikoga Kaseke come of the projects will inevitably make the country a competitive tourist destination.
“As a sector we are happy that in spite of the obtaining challenges faced by our economy, challenges that have slowed down the pace of development, Government has continued to invest in various projects key to the development of tourism in the country.”
“Such projects include the multi-million dollar Victoria Falls Airport, the E-VISA project and the KAZA UNI-VISA facilitation..The ongoing Ease of doing business reforms under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) cannot be ignored. This development will positively impact on the foreign direct investment processing turnaround period and make our destination even more competititive,” said Mr Kaseke.
Last year, ZTA received US$1,1 million despite getting an allocation of US$2 million.
In contrast the South African tourism authority got US$130 million, while each province was given US$15 million.
Mr Kaseke made the case for more investment into the sector.
The tourism industry has managed more than 180 000 direct and indirect jobs.
