2020: Worst year in tourism history with 1 billion fewer international arrivals

By UNWTO Global tourism suffered its worst year on record in 2020, with international arrivals dropping by 74% according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Destinations worldwide welcomed 1 billion fewer international arrivals in 2020 than in the previous year, due to an unprecedented fall in demand and widespread travel restrictions….

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Tourism Back to 1990 Levels as Arrivals Fall by More than 70%

International arrivals fell by 72% over the first ten months of 2020, with restrictions on travel, low consumer confidence, and a global struggle to contain the COVID-19 virus, all contributing to the worst year on record in the history of tourism. According to the latest tourism data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), destinations welcomed 900 million…

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In absence of tourists, Victoria Falls residents come together to explore their own city

December is usually one of the busiest periods for Zimbabwe’s tourism hub of Victoria Falls, with typical hotel occupancies of around 90%. This year, following the downturn in tourism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism community has been hard hit. Businesses, livelihoods, and local communities have all been impacted. In an extraordinary…

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Fastjet 5th Consecutive win at the World Travel Awards hailed

Fastjet does it again! For the fifth consecutive year, Fastjet has been awarded by the World Travel Awards the title of “Africa’s Leading Low-Cost Airline – 2020”. The organisers announced the win at the 27th World Travel Awards – Africa Winners Day online event hosted on Monday, 09 November 2020. The World Travel Awards, established…

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International Tourism Down 70% as Travel Restrictions Impact All Regions

Restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hit global tourism hard, with the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showing a 70% fall in international arrivals for the first eight months of 2020. According to the newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international arrivals plunged 81% in July and 79% in August,…

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COVID-19: Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo To Be Held Under The New Normal

The year 2020 edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is being held virtually in response to the coronavirus pandemic that has prevented the gathering of many people in a face-to-face interface, Hon Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry has said. He alluded to this fact while officially opening the…

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Pamushana Africa Group partners Zimnat to paint Mutorashanga green

Mutorashanga Green Pools are a beauty, a marvel, and incredible spot to hang out for travel enthusiasts. Approximately an hour and half drive from Harare, this joint is becoming the place where people visit to have fun, and enjoy the outdoors. The place is a great site for swimming, and diving, offering a thrilling experience,…

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COVID-19: Hélène sur l’Everest to climb Mount Everest in supporting medical research

Hélène sur l’Everest (27) is currently doing her residency in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. Her recent experience in a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit made her think about what is important in her life and the causes that she would like to support in the future. Her project links two of her passions: medicine and sport. With…

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UNWTO to harness the power of AI to link tourism workers with jobs

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is to work with California-based Eightfold.ai to help connect tourism jobseekers with employers and so drive the global recovery of the sector. The new partnership will see UNWTO harness the power of the Eightfold Talent Exchange, a marketplace connecting workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with available jobs. Using advanced deep-learning AI, the Exchange matches…

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Fastjet resumes flight services in Zimbabwe

As Zimbabwe relaxed the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and opened up flights and other tourism services, Fastjet has resumed its domestic flights in Zimbabwe. This reporter witnessed a remarkable improvement in security at the Robert Mugabe and the Joshua Nkomo International Airports in as far as COVID-19 preventive measures are concerned. Mr. Felix Nyangani, the Head…

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International tourist numbers drop by 65 percent during COVID-19 pandemic: UNWTO.

By Anyway Yotamu International tourist arrivals plunged 93% in June when compared to 2019 owing to the severe impact of coronavirus to the tourism sector, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has said. The latest data from UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer shows that international tourist arrivals dropped by 65% in the first half of…

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Lockdown relaxation: An opportunity for tourism stakeholders to come together

By Anyway Yotamu COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on Africa’s growing travel and tourism sectors. From the time the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in  China in December  2019, the consequences have cut across all the economic sectors globally. One of the worst affected sectors was tourism, which was grounded globally amid fears…

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PESLawyers petition Parliament for wildlife trade transparency

Rural development takes centre stage on the commemoration of tourism month

This September Zimbabwe joins the family of nations across the world in celebrating tourism. The World Tourism Day set for 27 September every year was founded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with an aim of fostering awareness among the international community, of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and…

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Tourism players feel the pinch of COVID-19-induced economic hardships as the sector reopens

By Anyway Yotamu With the government announcing the reopening of the tourism sector across the country after five months of closure following the health and safety guidelines approved by the Cabinet, players in the industry are feeling the pinch of economic hardships. Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Minister of Tourism said the government will focus strongly on…

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Discovery of Mandadzaka’s Late Stone Age site

By Nimrod Ushe A fascinating Stone Age habitat has been reported to the Spiked Online Media by one of the denizens in Bikita District. It is situated approximately three kilometres south-west of Mandadzaka Shopping Centre in Munatsi Village and adjacent to Musaizi river.  Speaking to Spiked Online Media, Allan Muridzo said that  “There is a…

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WildEarth Pop Up Channel On DStv

Africa’s magnificent wildlife is the focus of a pop-up channel now running 24/7 for three months on DStv. The new channel is WildEarth, which has to date been broadcasting on YouTube, FaceBook and other content viewing platforms. WildEarth is available on Premium and Compact Plus packages on DStv channel 183. Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said:…

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Ride4Rangers cyclists launch a fundraising campaign in support of Tusk Trust

A team of British Amateur cyclists has started the Global 30,000KM Bike ride with Land’s End to John O’Groates Adventure to protect African Rangers and Wildlife. 50+ African Travel professionals doing a joint bike ride Land’s End to John O’Groats Thousands of people around the globe doing their own ‘virtual’ bike ride for Rangers 874…

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7 of the Safest Places to Visit in Africa in 2020

By Thomas Quarry Meta Title: Africa’s Safest Locations in 2020 Meta Description: Africa offers you ample opportunity to enjoy everything this continent has to offer, from food to pristine beaches and roaming wildlife. Find out which countries have the lowest crime rates and are considered safe for tourists. African countries are like a limitless treasure…

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Fascinating Examples Of How Blockchain Is Used In Insurance, Banking And Travel

By Bernard Marr Blockchain technology promises to revolutionize many aspects of how we do business and if you believe the blockchain hype (of which there is plenty), may even be as disruptive as the internet was before it. Despite this, practical, real-world examples of blockchain technology can be a little thin on the ground –…

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Climate change impacts tourism: Minister Ndlovu

Climate change impacts on the tourism sector and vice-versa hence the need for sustainable management of the natural phenomenon as well so as to create opportunities for the sector, Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has said. The Minister of Environment, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu speaking at the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Indaba in Victoria…

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ZTA commends tourism recovery efforts in the midst of COVID-19

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has commended the Ministries of Health and Child Care; Local Government; Finance and Economic Development; Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry; the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe as well as Government at large for their efforts and commitment towards the recovery of the Tourism Industry. The authority reminded operators in…

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Covid-19 Lock-down Order: Relaxation for Some Tourist Facilities and Operators

By Veritas Late on Friday the 3rd July the Minister of Health and Child Care gazetted an SI which allows restaurants, National Parks facilities and safari operators to resume restricted operations.  The SI is the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 (No. 13) (SI 160 of 2020).  It is…

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Dealing with touts and Malayitshas in facilitating trade at Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe

By Juliet Matare (Customs & Excise and Trade Facilitation Expert) INTRODUCTION The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) plays a major role in trade facilitation at the several ports of entry in the country. This paper focuses on challenges faced at Zimbabwe’s largest and busiest border post in Southern Africa, the Beitbridge Border, as it tries to…

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African Sun’s Troutbeck Inn reopens

By Anyway Yotamu African Sun Hotels and Resorts has announced the reopening of its Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga the Eastern Highlands after three months’ closure. The Group Marketing, Public Relations, and Innovation Manager, Ms. Karen Dhliwayo said in a statement to the media Tuesday, from the 1st July 2020 Troutbeck Resort in Nyang reopens after…

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ZTA engages expert on service excellence

he Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and the tourism industry in partnership with the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) will  host a Service Excellence Training Webinar on Wednesday.   The ZTA Acting Chief Executive, Givemore Chidzidzi said the sector remains optimistic that it will bounce back post-COVID-19 through investing in human capital and service excellence as part…

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ZTA tables Destination Zimbabwe Tourism Recovery Plan

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s Acting Chief Executive Mr Givemore Chidzidzi has outlined strategic issues essential in post-Covid-19 tourism recovery drive. Presenting the Destination Zimbabwe Tourism Recovery draft Plan themed: “Supporting jobs, serving the national economy” at a workshop in Harare this week, Mr Chidzidzi said the plan outlines measures to be undertaken by Government, the tourism…

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Post-COVID Tourism Recovery consultations begin

… As domestic tourism takes centre stage Zimbabwe’s tourism sector yesterday met in Harare to craft a post-COVID-19 tourism recovery strategy. The discussion hinged on prioritizing the domestic market and product diversification. Addressing the meeting, Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndholvu emphasized the need to have a three-phased approach that starts…

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Minister Ndlovu unveils stimulus package to boost the tourism sector

The government will provide Bank Guarantee Facility worth ZWL$500 million to assist the Tourism Sector to access working capital loans from banks, Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality industry Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has said. Unveiling a stimulus package today to boost the tourism sector in post COVID-19 lockdown, Minister Ndhlovu announced a raft of measures…

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COVID-19: Whither tourism in the era of a socially isolating world?

By Tatenda Mabara (Researcher) The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all sectors of the global economic ecosystem and the tourism and hospitality sector will experience the most severe impact. This is mainly because tourism is increasingly hypermobile and largely based on interaction among people. Based on the latest COVID19 induced developments such as quarantine measures, travel…

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Tourism ready to play part in tackling COVID-19

As the current outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to develop, the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ), the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry (MECTHI) are committed to working together in guiding the travel and tourism sector’s response to COVID-19. Today the tourism sector players…

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Zimbabwe to utilise culinary expertise and other opportunities at Expo 2020 Dubai

By Joyce Mukucha As a developing nation seeking to intensify socio-economic revitalisation and move towards attaining an upper middle society by 2030, Zimbabwe is set to unpack vast opportunities through an interactive, exciting and educative programme as it will participate at the Expo 2020 Dubai. Zimbabwe will be exhibiting its culinary skills as well as…

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