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In this diverse socio-economic environment, Government has to play an active, if not dominant, role as a facilitator and promoter of tourism development, by providing a suitable socio-political and legal environment against which diverse stakeholders and private sector initiatives can take place.
It is the role of the Government to identify the positive impacts desired from tourism; based on this Governments can make priorities specifically on how and what they want to achieve with the responsibility of looking out for the welfare of their communities, economy, and international relations.
The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Zimbabwe Hon Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu has today joined a brilliant discussion on “Collaborating for a Sustainable Future”, discussing the role of Government bodies in developing tourism regions during the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum in Nairobi and it was being moderated by the inimitable Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News.
Minister Ndhlovu shared his expert insights on the potential for sustainable growth, economic benefits, and the preservation of local cultures and environments in an emerging market like Africa.
The Minister said that the COVID-19 Pandemic created a historic opportunity to re-think tourism and “build forward better” based on lessons learnt. To anticipate and overcome new challenges and address changing consumer trends affecting the global tourism sector, it is prudent for Government to create favourable policies which maximize the contribution of tourism in terms of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
He articulated that Zimbabwe’s tourism is Government-led, private-sector-driven, and community-based. The Government had taken a keen interest to develop Community-Based Tourism (CBTE) Projects as a vehicle to alleviate poverty in rural and marginalised communities, in line with SDG 1 (no to poverty)and Zimbabwe is packaging communities through their history, tradition, daily life, arts and craft, flora and fauna, as unique selling points in communities, and CBTEs.
The Minister was also joined on the panel by the Cabinet Secretary (Minister) Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Kenya Hon Peninah Malonza and the Special Advisor United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Managing Director MEA and South West Asia IHG Hotels and Resorts Haitham Mattar.
Earlier on in the morning the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Industry Zimbabwe also attended the official opening of the AHIF by the Prime Cabinet Secretary who is responsible for all Cabinet Ministers in Kenya His Excellency Dr. Musalia Mudavadi.
He delivered an inspiring call to action for the AHIF participants and he also advocated a holistic approach to hospitality, he urged industry leaders to foster innovative solutions and partnerships for accelerated capacity growth across the continent focused on conservation.