Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
QUEUES at Forbes Border Post have begun to ease despite a seasonal surge in traffic, following intensified interventions by border authorities aimed at improving clearance efficiency during the festive period.
Up to 1 000 trucks are now being processed daily at the busy eastern port of entry, reflecting both increased commercial activity and improved operational coordination as travellers, traders, and returning residents cross into Zimbabwe for the holidays.
As part of efforts to enhance the visitor experience, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry this week rolled out its Meet and Greet Programme at Forbes Border Post, engaging travellers and providing information on tourism offerings across the country. Visitors entering Zimbabwe welcomed the initiative, noting improved processing times and a generally smoother border experience.
“I am on my way to Mutare and on December 29, I will be in Nyanga enjoying my holidays for four or five days, doing fishing and other activities.
“I am into buying and selling. After finishing my business of the day, I go to church at ZAOGA for prayers before returning to my country. We are also preparing to go to Bindura for a church gathering.
“I am going to Zimbabwe to buy a lot of things. There are some important goods that are found in Zimbabwe which are very cheap. Zimbabwe is a good country,” the visitors said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, said the reduction in queues followed targeted interventions by an inter-ministerial task force deployed to address bottlenecks at the port of entry.
“Today we are here at Forbes Border Post as part of our Meet and Greet national programme which we have been running for the last two years. This exercise is to welcome visitors to Zimbabwe. We believe that the entry points are the reception desk of the nation, and we really need to give a good impression. We also took this opportunity to give visitors information about Zimbabwe.
“This is our first time to conduct this programme here. This border is now busy as over 1000 trucks pass every day, and this time of the year, it is also characterised by a lot of visitors. Some are Zimbabweans coming back for holidays, or Mozambicans who want to enjoy their holidays in Zimbabwe. The feedback we are getting from drivers is that in the last two weeks, things have improved following an inter ministerial visit to the port of entry. They say the processing time has improved and the general visitors are upbeat about coming to Zimbabwe,” Dr Munyanyiwa said.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry also took advantage of the engagement to distribute national fabric to travellers as a gesture of hospitality and cultural pride.
The Meet and Greet initiative is part of government’s strategy to improve visitors’ experience, promote Destination Zimbabwe and reinforce the country’s hospitality industry reputation.
