Tourism and environment players on Monday marked World Tourism Day Celebrations by handing over the Kore Kore Cultural Village, to the Makonde community.
The Kore Kore Cultural Village was funded by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority as part of the Ministry’s 100 Day projects.
The development was in line with this year’s theme of ‘Tourism and Rural Development’ which underlies the unique role that tourism plays in preserving cultural and natural heritage and providing livelihood opportunities outside urban settlements.
Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said the village will play an important role in diversifying the rural economy and achieving sustainable rural development.
“I hope the Kore Kore Cultural Village will feature prominently on the map of future tours to Chinhoyi along with the triangular movement of visits to Chinhoyi Caves, and the Chinhoyi Seven Memorial Park,” Ndlovu said.
Ndlovu also noted there are key challenges affecting tourism in Mashonaland West Province key among them lack of scheduled flights to key destinations such as Kariba and poor road network and an overall decline in tourism standards due to low capacity utilisation.
“I am pleased to advise that my Ministry has had very fruitful discussions with key enabler Ministries including the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development on how best we can improve internal access. In this regard we are excited by the on-going work in rehabilitation of the Beitbridge- Chirundu Highway,” he said.
“If anything, the COVID -19 pandemic has put us to test and prove that we are stronger if we act together and not in isolation. I believe that with the unity of purpose the task of growing the tourism sector to a US$5 Billion economy will be achievable.”