Investment in innovation and smart management for tourism will form the major theme of the Ministerial Summit of this year’s World Travel Market, to be held in London, UK (6 November 2018). The 2018 Summit, a joint initiative of World Travel Market and the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), will debut a revamped format. This year’s…
Zimbabwe’s marine tourism especially along the Zambezi River has been upscaled as Vice President Retired General Constantino Chiwenga recently commissioned a luxurious boat called the African Dream in Kariba. The boat was reportedly built at a whopping $2,5 million dollars. Another luxury boat is set to be assembled in Zimbabwe beginning in October by engineering…
By Byron Mutingwende Governments are obligated to use tourism as a vehicle for employment creation to contribute to poverty alleviation in Africa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has said. VP Mohadi made the remarks in his keynote address at the Africa Youth in Tourism Conference (19-23 September 2018) in Bulawayo. “We are obligated…
Innovation, traveller demand for diverse and authentic experiences in cities, and urban tourism governance models will be the central themes of the “UNWTO Conference on City Breaks: Creating Innovative Experiences”, to be held in Valladolid, Spain, on 15-16 October 2018. The conference will address the future of urban tourism, with special emphasis on current challenges,…
By Freedom Mutanda and Knowledge Mhlanga Makamera Preparations for the sixth edition of the annual Ndau Festival of the Arts that is held every year on 22 September to celebrate Cultural diversity and arts are at an advanced stage with several arrays of displays having been made at Paiyapo Arts Development and Heritage Centre in…
As is the custom, Zimbabwe will join the world in commemorating the World Tourism Day on the 27th of September every year, and dedicates the month of September to raise awareness of tourism by organising a number of activities for the month of September in a build-up to the main celebrations. In her brief to…
A new World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) report aims to help manage growing urban tourism flows and their impact on cities and residents. ‘Overtourism’? Understanding and managing urban tourism growth beyond perceptions’, was launched today during the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism, in Seoul, Republic of Korea (16-19 September 2018). The report examines how…
The progress about preparations of the 2018 Harare International Carnival is impressive since stakeholders are now ready for the showcase. By Munyaradzi Dhure The Ministry of Environment Tourism and Hospitality Industry engaged with its marketing arm, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to announce the progress of preparations for the fifth edition of the…
By Byron Mutingwende The wildlife conservation project being spearheaded by the Antelope Park is bringing numerous benefits to participating local communities and the environment. Tourists from the United Kingdom who were on a tour of the country prior, during and after the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo, courtesy of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, had…
By Byron Mutingwende The Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo fits the bill of and stands tall among internationally recognised exhibitions, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has said. In her speech at the expo awards ceremony in Bulawayo on 7 September 2018, tourism minister Priscah Mupfumira expressed her deepest satisfaction with the…
By Byron Mutingwende The Glen Lodge in Bulawayo, the leading oasis of hospitality in the City of Kings and Queens, is the only place that offers the greatest value for money to its legions of clients. As it hosted journalists attending the 11th edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo in the country’s…
Qatar has become the most open country in the Middle East and the 8th most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) recently updated its visa openness rankings, confirming Qatar’s recent visa facilitation improvements including allowing nationals of 88 countries to enter Qatar visa-free and free-of-charge. Actions Qatar…
By Byron Mutingwende Located in the leafy Newton suburb of Bulawayo, the Glen Lodge is the best place to get luxurious accommodation and tour services. The serene atmosphere at Glen Lodge gives clients value for money since place offers facilities that can cater for a maximum of 150 people at one go, with…
By Byron Mutingwende The government is committed to increasing funding support to tourism and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)’s marketing and development programmes, Vice President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said. The VP revealed this at the official opening of the 11th edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani Tourism Expo at the Zimbabwe…
International buyers in the country for the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo have described Zimbabwe as a world class tourist destination that needs to correct a few issues to be on the right track. In an interview with Spiked Online Media, Stuart Forster, a journalist from the United Kingdom, singled out the Victoria Falls as…
By Byron Mutingwende The aggressive worldwide marketing of Destination Zimbabwe that is being spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has borne some low hanging fruits that the country is ready to devour in as far as economic revival is concerned. Riding on a wave of success due to the ZTA’s hardworking Chief…
By Elmond Bandauko (“Our impressions of a city are formed mainly by the quality of public spaces. If they are not pleasant and preserved, or if they transmit a sense of insecurity, we will seldom return. Good planning of these spaces should be the rule, not the exception”) Most urban residents in cities of the developing world…
By Hildah Sipono International buyers from key source markets have said Zimbabwe is sellable and buyable. The buyers arrived in Harare yesterday on a familiarisation tour ahead of the 11th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo scheduled for Bulawayo on September 6-8 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds. “People do not want to see…
Tourism transcends humankind and political affiliation across the borders and it unites nations and different cultures so it is the best conduit for peace, church leaders have said. “We thank Dr Karikoga Kaseke and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) for spearheading the Zimbabwe Peace Festival 2018. At the festival Christians united for the same purpose,…
By Byron Mutingwende Learning involves discovering the world around us and one such way is through the tourism programme that the Good Care Pre-school is offering to its pupils. Recently, children were taken on a trip to Mbizi Game Park where they learnt more about Zimbabwe’s rich flora and fauna. On the 23rd…
Gideon Madzikatidze recently in Mhondoro Indigenous churches should constantly market their doctrines and cultural values in order to sell their unique features to the external world to augment the country’s development through promotion of religious tourist attraction centres, Zanu PF legislator for Mhondoro Mubaira constituency, Freddy Kapuya has said. While addressing thousands who witnessed an…
Promoting innovation, job creation and sustainability are key considerations for the 15th World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Awards. UNWTO invites submissions until 31 October 2018. The UNWTO Awards recognise the contribution of public and private institutions and NGOs to development of a more competitive, responsible and sustainable tourism sector that works towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable…
Vynn Capital, a South-East Asia-based early-stage venture capital firm, and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today jointly announced a strategic partnership to promote South-East Asia’s tourism sector by facilitating entrepreneurship and innovation. Through this strategic partnership, Vynn Capital and UNWTO will collaborate to create a framework and policies to support technology startups that are addressing…
By Chipa Gonditii & Johnson Chihambakwe About 400km northeast of Bulawayo lies Binga, a small town which is virtually in the middle of nowhere on map but definitely vibrant and visible on sight with its flagship convenience destination: Binga shopping centre informally known as “Pa centre” which has cemented its status as the entertainment hub…
In his book, TIMELESS, Patrick Bentley presents readers with seventy stunning black and white wildlife photographs from the Luangwa Valley in Zambia, taken from the last decade. “TIMELESS is a book that fills me with hope. Such an important emotion in the preservation of wild spaces, it is hope that drives us on. Hope that despite the…
By Michael Mashiri Many people are called Zimbabweans and are proud of being called Zimbwabwean citizens, however the problem comes when a Zimbabwean does not know where the word Zimbabwe emanated from and what it means. Zimbabwe is a word which was derived from the Shona ‘Dzimba Dzemabwe’directly translating to ‘Houses of Stone ‘as exemplified…
Promoting a greater engagement of the tourism sector with sustainable development is the main objective of the Tourism for SDGs Platform. The online tool is designed to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through tourism, and was developed by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) with the support of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic…
From infrastructure and communication to food production and transport, tourism and construction play key roles in a circular economy framework that supports sustainable development. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), together with the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Programme of the One Planet Network, addressed this challenge during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development…
The Güzelyurt and Lefke Tour Imagine that the branches of the citrus trees are having a love affair with the waves of Mediterranean…. Imagine that every corner of the place you can smell the history blended with the traditional taste… Imagine that you are in a place that the name of the island…
The importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018, to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary (27 September 2018). World Tourism Day, celebrated every 27 September around the world, is a unique opportunity to raise awareness…
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has praised the Zimbabwe Championships of Performing Arts (ZiCOPA) for raising the country’s flag high at a global stage. ZICOPA had a team of 10 contestants who were representing Zimbabwe at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) dubbed the Olympics of the Arts from 3rd to 15th of…
By Byron Mutingwende The Africa Youth in Tourism Conference to be held from the 19th to the 24th of September 2018 in Bulawayo seeks to foster tourism development and innovation on the African continent. The Africa Youth in Tourism Conference is the brainchild of the Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism and this will be…
The Zimbabwe Championship of Performing Arts (ZICOPA) is giving many talented young children with limited platforms to flourish. Nyarayi Jessica Tandy, the Director of ZICOPA, in her remarks before the Zimbabwean team’s departure to the United States for the World Championships of Performing Arts competition, said she was hopeful that the young people would…
Wilderness Safaris’ Little Makalolo – one of the original bush camps situated in an exclusive private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe – has reopened after the rebuild of its main guest area and an extensive refurbishment of its six traditional-style safari tents. The new look of Little Makalolo was achieved…
By Byron Mutingwende Under the stewardship of the results oriented Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Dr Karikoga Kaseke, the institution is enjoying a positive turn in fortunes spearheaded by the aggressive marketing prowess of its newly appointed Head of Corporate Affairs, Godfrey ‘Chief’ Koti. Koti is a young, vibrant and hardworking broadcaster, digital…
By Byron Mutingwende Women in tourism are calling for a major stake since they have for a long time been occupying a back seat in driving and developing the sector. This emerged at the Women in Tourism all Stakeholders’ Workshop held on 22 June 2018 at Zimbali Gardens, Harare. The workshop was attended…
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in conjunction with it’s parent ministry, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry have stepped up marketing efforts in the UK by participating at the Experience Africa Travel Trade Show in London, the UK. The show runs from 25-27 June 2018 and is a business to business event matching suppliers…
The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, called for the tourism sector to take more action to combat climate change and biodiversity loss during the 30th joint meeting of its Commissions for South Asia and Asia-Pacific in Fiji (18-20 June 2018). Adding his voice to that of the host country, Mr. Pololikashvili…
In a move to enhance destination awareness and foster market visibility, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has appointed VFS Global to promote Zimbabwe as a preferred tourism destination in both India and GCC region, through a collaborative relationship. The agreement was officially signed by Dr. Karikoga Kaseke, Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority on…
In line with its vision of advancing sustainability through tourism, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) released its flagship publication ‘Tourism for Development’ in Brussels on 6 June during the European Development Days (EDD), and called for greater awareness of sustainability in tourism policies and business practices as well as in tourist behaviour. ‘Tourism for Development’…
“Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development”, was the theme of this year’s seminar in the context of the 61st Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa (Abuja, Nigeria, 4-6 June). The meeting included a ministerial dialogue on the importance of tourism statistics under the topic “Better measure, better manage”. Commission for Africa attracted 18 tourism ministers…
Around 600 participants from 52 countries gathered at the 4th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism (Bangkok, Thailand, 30 May to 1 June 2018). Organised by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Government of Thailand, in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Centre, participants addressed topics ranging from the role of technology in achieving sustainable development,…
The significance of tourism to Africa and its economy was once again cemented at this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba with delegates from 80 countries in attendance. According to Africa’s Travel Indaba organisers, overall registrations reached the 7 000 mark, resulting in an increase of 4% from last year’s figures. “Indaba’s goal is to create a…
Amadeus IT Group today announced a historic initiative that will see the creation of a new model for public-private collaboration in the tourism industry in South Africa. This partnership will initially develop a new, National Tourism Visitor Information System (NTVIS). In addition, a new Travel and Tourism Training Academy will be established to accelerate skills…
By Byron Mutingwende Zimbabwe is “a World of Wonders” that is ready for tourism investors, Priscah Mupfumira, the minister of tourism and hospitality industry has said. She reassured the audience at a cocktail reception held for tour operators at the Hilton Hotel in Durban on 9 May 2018 that the drive was in…
