Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE ongoing Sanganai/Hlanganani World tourism expo at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) has seen amplified calls for the devolution, development and expansion of community based tourism activities and products.
The expo is being held under the theme: “Unlocking Tourism Investment Opportunities for Local Economic Development”.
Speaking at a Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum held on the sidelines of the expo on Friday, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbra Rwodzi said as Government they are promoting investment in community based tourism inorder for investors to realise value in their investment as well as impacting positively to the communities.
“We are promoting and encouraging investments in community-based tourism development, which will support the sustainable development of local communities by growing the value chain through small enterprise and projects.
“By investing in community-based tourism, investors not only have the opportunity to earn financial gain, but also to have a positive impact on the society and the environment in sync with Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030 by the UN,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Mr Kevin Fitshani, the project officer for the Camp Fire Association said cognisant of their objective for community beneficiation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources, there is need for the tourism industry to fully implement community based tourism inorder for communities to benefit from their resources and use the sustainably.
“As we are here today talking about community -based tourism, I think we should be bearing in mind on two main things, which are one, actively involvement and participation of communities within these enterprises.
“More often you would see the term community -based tourism, but however within the chain of operations, they are only left as recipients. So I think it is high time we actively involve them in terms of decision -making, selection of private operators, or even these days we are talking of the devolution mantra, let us have legal entities at community level that can be able to enter into private, public partnerships with investors directly,” said Mr Fitshani.
Another key wildlife conservation stakeholder, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Country Director Ms Alleta Nyahuye said from their experience, the most successful conservation efforts are those that consider human connection which is why they are collaborating with the Government of Zimbabwe through ZimParks to transform Hwange National Park and create opportunities for the community.
“Our vision for the greater Hwange ecosystem is that of a resilient landscape with thriving wildlife populations and resilient communities. “We believe that working together we can build a sustainable future where wildlife and communities thrive harmoniously,” said Ms Nyahuye.
@nyeve14
