Story by Memory Chamisa in Uzbekistan
INVESTMENTS in the tourism sector have been identified as key in protecting the industry from future shocks.
This was the rallying call at the ongoing United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly in Uzbekistan this Tuesday.
The Zimbabwe delegation led by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Honourable Barbra Rwodzi this Tuesday attended a number of sessions at the ongoing 25th United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly in Uzbekistan.
Speaking after one of the sessions, Minister Rwodzi reiterated the significance of investment in the tourism industry.
“I am encouraged by the diversity of expertise members here bring to the organisation. Together we will build a more resilient tourism sector. Investing in tourism means investing in jobs and opportunity. In today’s Investment forum we learnt that commitment to attracting the right form of investment into tourism will protect against future shocks and there is need to become a more diverse and resilient sector. One needs to be reassured of profit margins when they inject their capital in any form of business, and it applies to the tourism industry,” she said.
Minister Rwodzi also highlighted on how Africa will push for space in the various organs of the UNWTO.
“Tourism brings progress, as one of the biggest sectors in the global economy it has a great power to bridge cultures, generate new opportunities and promote sustainable development. We met as a group of African Ministers and tourism leaders to map and plan for our involvement in some of UNWTO organs. You find that some most of the employees in the organisation are from Europe and other continents but Africa the number is not impressive meaning we are less represented especially when it comes to our issues with regards to the Tourism sector. This needs to be addressed,” she added.
It also emerged that investing in tourism goes beyond upgrading infrastructure as focus shifts to ensuring communities benefit from the tourism initiatives around them.
