The Sunday News
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sunday News Correspondent
The Government has implored young people with innovative ideas to help create jobs and boost the economy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the on-going Africa Youth in Tourism Conference in Bulawayo, Tourism Minister Cde Prisca Mupfumira said it was high time young people take part in the process of rebuilding the country and packaging “Brand Zimbabwe.”
The Africa Youth in Tourism Conference is an initiative meant to bring together youths in tourism in Africa to exchange ideas and collaborate. Over 3 000 delegates from 22 countries are participating in discussions under the theme “Fostering Tourism Development and Innovation in Africa through Youth participation”.
The five-day conference was aimed at marketing Brand Zimbabwe as well as to engage in dialogue that will enhance youth business entrepreneurial skills.
Minister Mupfumira said youths were central to social economic development and worthy to be recognised in the quest to revive the travel and hospitality industry.
“Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries that offer vast opportunities to our youths and as such we need not emphasise more the need for our young people to be innovative and think outside the box on how best they can contribute to the economy. We want young minds with new ideas to develop the sector. Tourism policies and frameworks are already in place to support and encourage youth participation in tourism projects.
“The African continent boasts of the biggest population of young people and that is where we have to create an environment that makes it easy for young minds to spread wings through ideas that create jobs and promote the well-being of society. Youths with a sense of belonging and responsibility are more constructive citizens,” she said.
Minister Mupfumira added that Government does not only just realise the potential of young people as leaders of tomorrow but is also cognisant of their role in socio economic development.
“We need to nurture our youths to play a critical role in eradication of poverty and participating fully in the development of societies through different platforms including tourism.”
She said Government has initiated youth empowerment programmes aimed at ensuring their participation in the tourism sector, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.
“Tourism policies and frameworks are already in place to support and encourage youth participation in tourism projects. We have the National Tourism Master Plan that young people can use to gain entry into the industry. This is supported by the National Tourism Sector Strategy that gives direction to tourism development over a period of time.”
In an address to the media last week, the Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism organisation said it was high time tourism was integrated into mainstream education in African schools.
“There is a need to lobby for policy changes that facilitate the mainstreaming of tourism into the education system across Africa, promote continental integration and a single destination vision among Youths in Africa as well as harness synergies among Youth Associations in Africa,” ZYT said.
During a series of discussions and exhibitions at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds, Tourism and Hospitality industry players expressed the opinion that young entrepreneurs have the capacity to grow the sector.
