Calls to improve tourism sector, environment
Consistency in improving the sanitation, health, transportation and electrification that serve local residents and visitors will help the tourism sector achieve its five-year goal of investing US$600 million.
Addressing a stakeholders meeting in Harare yesterday, Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said improving the investment environment for tourism would enable the upward scale of investment into the sector.
Minister Ndlovu acknowledged the help of the Ministry of Finance in supporting the tourism sector.
“We want to acknowledge that the Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube has been very supportive of this sector in terms of the stimulus packages given to the tourism sector,” said Minister Ndlovu.
The tourism sector received a US$20 million stimulus package last year from the President Mnangagwa since the industry was one of the hardest hit during the first phase of the Covid-19 lockdown.
He said they were grateful as a Ministry for the tremendous support of the President as he was working to bring confidence in the sector. The stimulus package was to mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus on the industry and help resuscitate it.
Minister Ndlovu said their intention was to see the tourism sector contributing to the economy of the country. “As Government, it is our intention to see this sector make a meaningful contribution to our economy,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the Zimbabwe economy remained strong and the drive to invest in tourism was due to the demand that was getting stronger. “Demand is getting stronger due to the economic recovery. With the effects of Covid-19, tourism needs access to credit and finance,” said Minister Ncube.
Vehicle Registration Association chairperson, Beverly Sande implored Government to be given more cars to use as they were not able to uphold international standards
“We want expansion of our fleets as we are unable to meet the demand and we are lagging behind,” she said.-herald.co.zw
