Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry

With Zimbabwe and other countries taking steps to gradually reopen their economies, officials say aggressive digital marketing on the international forum and promotion of domestic tourism will be crucial in rebuilding the local tourism sector.
Speaking to ZBC News the Permanent Secretary in the of Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Munesushe Munodawafa said the Tourism Sector was already on its knees operating at 5 % before the country went on lockdown.
“ The tourism sector was hit by this pandemic even before all the other sectors felt it. About two months prior to the lockdown, already our hotels were operating at 5 % or less, but the question is, is there life after this given the travel restrictions in place around the world, it could take a while before international tourists start trickling back in”, said Munodawafa.
While pointing out the need to promote domestic tourism, Munodawafa also highlighted the need for aggressive digital marketing to ensure that once the planes take to the skies again, Zimbabwe will be a destination of choice.“ We need to put a lot of emphasis initially on domestic tourism because we expect that international travel will be somewhat inhibited in the first 12 or even 24 months. The next focus is reaching out to the world. We have upped our game in digital marketing and we encourage even private players to do the same as we are doing as a ministry,” he added.