You might also like:
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has initiated a programme to empower rural communities through its recently revealed heritage tourism programme, which aims to create jobs and improve livelihoods.
Heritage tourism or cultural tourism places emphasis on visiting places that have strong historic and cultural ties and is recognised as a form of special interest tourism, where culture forms the basis of either attracting tourists or motivating people to travel, according to Wilson Jn. Baptiste, CEO of Global Enterprises Management Solutions, LLC. Furthermore, referencing Goodrich 1997, Baptiste says cultural tourism has been conceptualised from a business perspective as involving the development and marketing of various sites or attractions for foreign, as well as domestic tourists, therefore this niche segment has been made a priority in marketing Zimbabwe, following government’s approval to fund the Ministry of Hospitality and Tourism’s enshrinement initiative.
Corporate Affairs Head for ZTA, Godfrey Koti, said they had already identified five places of interest, all of which are in rural areas and will be promoted under the heritage tourism package. “We are on a drive to market all places of historic significance that are dotted all over the country. This is about packaging our history. It is pleasing to note that Government has backed the project. It is recognition of the value of heritage tourism in reviving business in the country. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has planned to make these areas selling points in our brand Zimbabwe campaign. These are exciting times to the tourism sector because we foresee a boom in terms of revenue to rural communities and the creation of jobs as people start to visit heritage sites,” reports Bulawayo 24 News.
Earmarked sites include Old Bulawayo, the Pupu Shangani in Matabeleland North, Tangwena Village in Manicaland, Masivngo’s Trabablas trail and the Chinhoyi battle site.
According to Koti, top of the list is the Trabablas trail in Masvingo, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Comrade Matthew Malowa blew up the Rhodesian steam locomotive in 1964 during their crocodile gang days. The site is now named after Mnangagwa’s liberation war name, ‘Trabablas Dzokerai Mabhunu’.
“There are many sites and we are going to promote them. The plan is broad and, as we market, more places will be reached in the next month. It is an advantage to tour operators as well,” said Koti. He said the ZTA was working with locals in the ear-marked areas to help communities develop and gain interest in supporting the tourism sector.
“There is no way we can ignore the value of tourism to local communities. In as much as the industry benefits, so do villagers around these sites. It is ZTA’s view that locals are empowered so that they have an interest in helping us market Zimbabwe better. We are planning to work with publicity associations, teachers and culture experts in all areas known to have a historic site,” concluded Koti.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za