It is important for the tourism sector to highlight the bad effects of sanctions, which have resulted in low tourist arrivals, as the country marks the SADC Anti-Sanctions Solidarity Day on
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister
The illegal sanctions imposed on
The figures increased significantly in 2018 and 2019, with the coming in of the New Dispensation and an intensified marketing drive through the re-engagement initiative.
Sadc has added its voice to growing calls for the lifting of the sanctions and last year declared
"We have not recovered from this setback, but we must," said Minister Ndlovu. "I am encouraged by the numbers in 2018 and 2019, clearly there is light ahead. I thus invite you to join the nation, the SADC region and indeed the African continent in calling for the removal of these illegal sanctions on
Sanctions, said Minister Ndlovu, had a negative impact on the livelihoods of the people as jobs were lost, hotels closed and there had been a general deterioration of the socio-economic fabric in towns such as Kariba.
He called for collective effort to come up with strategies to reverse their impact and set the sector on a growth trajectory.
Meanwhile,
"We have two CAAZ officers in
"These are smaller aircraft, 14-seater aircraft, but we hope we will have them in the country within the next few months, two months at the most. The planes will be based in
The aircraft, said
With Government implementing the Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy, accessibility of destination is a key element that is set to anchor the growth of the sector.
To that end, the Government has committed to rehabilitating at least 20km along the Harare-Chirundu and Makuti-Kariba roads as part of measures to improve accessibility of the resort town of Kariba.
The stretches have been badly damaged and have been cited as affecting tourist arrivals in the town in the absence of a reliable air transport.
The interventions are expected to position tourism in Mashonaland West province to contribute at least
Already,
Transport and
"I know that
"Government recognises that a well-functioning national airline is a must and they are doing everything possible to re-equip the national airline and we want to believe that by next year they will have appropriate aircraft to also start operating on the domestic network and also regionally, which will ensure that we facilitate the tourism industry."
Government has earmarked the completion of 200 kilometres along the
The project would be concluded by end of December with at least three other contractors expected to start working on 20km stretches along the highway beginning next year.
Mashonaland West provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister
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