Zim – SA unveil tourism cooperation
Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
ZIMBABWE and South Africa have unveiled a tourism cooperation agenda based on increasing foreign arrivals and capital inflows.
In terms of the cooperation agreement, the two economies are focusing on exchanging ideas regarding infrastructure development, more projects, airlines growth, utilisation of resorts and increased domestic market share.
South Africa has revealed its commitment to work with Zimbabwe in the tourism sector in line with the SADC principles on economic integration.
“The agreement of the two countries is therefore based on modalities to share ideas, identify opportunities, mobilise capital, attract new projects and future infrastructure to spur current activities as you know we are neighbouring economies and that entails the need for an extensive cooperation approach to harness resources,” Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Tshifhiwa Tshivengwa said.
Zimbabwe is upbeat about learning from South Africa’s tourism sector investment attraction policy.
“The cooperation is vital as it affords us the opportunity to learn how our neighbouring partner is managing the tourism sector in terms of investment legislation and ways to ease the cost of doing business,” Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Matamisa noted.
Chinhoyi University of Technology Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Nelson Zengeni outlined the importance of Zimbabwe and South Africa cooperation in the tourism sector.
“The two countries share a lot in terms of geographical locations. What is critical is to focus on future modalities that can build relationships. Remember, there are vast opportunities between the two countries and cooperation will help in tapping the opportunities at a time when SADC is calling for increased economic development.”
As data shows South Africa continues to maintain its top position as the largest trading partner with Zimbabwe, and cooperation in tourism is anticipated to further strengthen economic ties.
