Tourism surpasses mining and agriculture in GDP contribution
THE Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has emerged as a top performer, contributing 15 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, surpassing traditional economic pillars like mining and agriculture.
This revelation was made during the announcement of the 2024 Performance Evaluation Results for Senior Public Sector Officials, presided over by President Mnangagwa at the State House recently.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry was acknowledged for its exceptional performance, which included transforming tourism into one of the fastest-growing sectors in the economy among other attributes.
“The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry is being acknowledged for hosting the inaugural Regional African Gastronomy Forum and facilitating provincial and national cookout competitions.
“It also promoted Zimbabwe’s tourism through flagship international events such as the World Travel Market, ITB Berlin, and the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo, which featured exhibitions and gastronomy showcases,” reads the summary of results for top performers in the public sector.
This milestone underscores the sector’s resilience and strategic importance in diversifying Zimbabwe’s economy, aligning with the government’s Vision 2030 goals.
Meanwhile, in the local authority category, Gwanda Municipality was recognised for significantly improving water availability for residents, increasing supply from 10 hours per day in 2023 to 17 hours in 2024.
This achievement reflects the municipality’s commitment to enhancing service delivery and addressing critical infrastructure challenges.
The Performance Contracting system, introduced in 2021, is a key tool under Vision 2030 to ensure accountability and results-oriented governance. Senior officials, including Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, CEOs, and Mayors, are evaluated quarterly, bi-annually, and annually by an independent consulting firm to maintain objectivity and credibility.
At the end of each fiscal year, a consolidated report is presented to the High-Level Forum on Public Sector Reforms, the President, and Cabinet.
The report highlights achievements, performance ratings, and policy recommendations. Top performers are awarded during an annual ceremony, as seen in the recent event.-chronicle
