NewsDay |Thursday September 27 2018 S1

2 0 1 8 TWouroismr lDda y WTD2018: Using digital tech for tourism development orld Tourism Day 2018 is a rate, on a near-constant basis in or- UNWTO unique opportunity to raise der to remain competitive. has partnered with the awareness on the potential In addition, the tourism sector’s contribution of digital tech- cross-cutting nature extends its lev- Hungarian Tourism Agency and the nologies to sustainable tour- el of responsibility to use techno- Foreign Affairs and International ismW development, while providing a platform logical change and digitalisation to for investment, partnerships and collabora- help engender a more economical- tion towards a more responsible and inclusive ly and socially sustainable, inclu- Trade ministry to hold the official tourism sector. sive and environmentally-friendly Digital advances are transforming how we future. celebration of World Tourism Day connect and inform ourselves, transforming — UNWTO our behaviour, and encouraging innovation 2018 in Budapest and sustainable, responsible growth strate- gies. Understanding the growing economic, soci- etal and environmental impacts of technolo- gy and innovation in tourism if our sector is to sustain continuous and inclusive growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals TATENDATATENDA SAFARISSAFARIS of the United Nations. Budapest is a classical European capital committed to the digital future — the perfect stage for this year’s celebration of tourism. Tourism and the Digital Transformation is the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day (#WTD2018). UNWTO is delighted to partner with the Hungarian Tourism Agency and the Foreign Affairs and International Trade ministry to hold the official celebration of World Tourism Day 2018 in Budapest Digitally-advanced tourism sector can im- prove entrepreneurship, inclusion, local com- munity empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other important devel- opment objectives. This year’s WTD will help to further explore opportunities provided to tourism by techno- logical advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms. In June 2018, in anticipation of WTD and to give visibility to innovative ideas capable of revolutionising the way we travel and en- joy tourism, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Globalia launched the 1st UN- WTO Tourism Startup Competition. The start-ups with the best projects will be announced as semi-finalists during the WTD official celebration in Budapest. Today, people and businesses connect, ex- change information and execute transactions in ways never before imagined. The combination of digital platforms, user- generated content and feedback, social media integration, global positioning services, and the use of big data and artificial intelligence, has transformed the way people experience, consume and share information. This is the result of successive advances in telecommunications, computers, databases, networks, Internet, mobile and wireless tech- nology, global positioning systems and smart- phones, amongst other things. Tourism, as one of the world’s transversal economic sectors, has been both witness to and protagonist of these changes. For both public and private tourism entities, ICT has offered indispensable and very pow- erful tools for management, logistics, distribu- tion and marketing. It has brought about a digital tourist that is more autonomous, hyper-connected and in- creasingly demanding, expecting personalised customer service. Shifts in customer expectations and glob- al trends are compelling the tourism sector to adapt business and operating models in search of enhanced customer satisfaction and operational performance. This is creating opportunities for new en- trants into the tourism value chain, especially digital ‘natives’ like online travel aggregators. At the same time, private platform tourism services (the so-called sharing economy) are on the rise. While the tourism sector has been at the forefront of digital disruption, exponential technological change means that the sector must innovate, and stakeholders must collabo- S2 NewsDay | Thursday September 27 2018 TOURISM DAY SUPPLEMENT

Guests enjoying the Vulture Culture Experience at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Charlene Hewat and the Victoria Falls Recycling team at work Victoria Falls anti-poaching unit scouts on patrol around Victoria Falls Park Sustainable tourism is the way to go

INCE Africa Albida Tour- birds. ism (AAT)’s beginnings a It also enables their numbers to quarter of a century ago, be monitored and raise awareness the Zimbabwean hospital- of their plight. ity group has embraced Vulture populations are dwin- sustainableS tourism, striving to en- dling due to a variety of human- sure that the impact of its opera- created issues, including electro- tions on the local environment, cul- cution by power lines. Visitors wit- ture and people is positive. ness the spectacular sight of hun- AAT this year stepped up its al- dreds of vultures swooping down ready extensive corporate so- to feed on leftover meat scraps cial responsibility programme by from the on-site restaurants. launching a major recycling pro- The daily Vulture Culture Expe- ject in Victoria Falls, which is be- rience is educational and appeals ing spearheaded by well-known to all age groups. AAT works in conservationist Charlene Hewat. collaboration with VulPro, a lead- AAT launched Victoria Falls Re- ing vulture conservation pro- cycling in March, an initiative to gramme based in South Africa and protect the environment around the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust on one of the Seven Natural Won- this project. It also raises funds, ders of the World, winning the en- which go to vulture research and vironmental award at the Associ- awareness programmes. ation of Travel Agents In 2016, Victoria Falls Safari (AZTA) Awards ceremony earlier Lodge received a silver award from this month in recognition of this Green Tourism, one of the world’s project. most credible and effective glob- Hotels, retail outlets and Victo- al sustainability programmes in ria Falls residents are participat- tourism. ing in the initiative, where plastics AAT is also involved in regular and paper are being recycled, and Victoria Falls clean-up campaigns in the coming months, glass and to ensure that visitors to this icon- beverage cans will also be includ- ic destination enjoy their stay in ed. clean surrounds, while National A key conservation project for Tree Planting Day is observed an- AAT has been the protection of nually by staff planting indige- wildlife through the establishment nous trees at the Victoria Falls Sa- of the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching fari Lodge estate. Unit (VFAPU), which it co-found- The company supports local ed along with local safari opera- schools, clinics, the orphanage tor and conservationist Charles and old people’s home by donating Brightman in 1999. goods as expected of corporates. AAT has supported VFAPU, As part of the global initiative, largely through organising and pack for a purpose guests are en- hosting an annual fundraising golf couraged to become involved in the day since 2001, which has raised development of schools and clin- more than $100 000 for the unit in ics, with many bringing stationery, the past five years alone. The group sports equipment and clothing, or also pays the salaries of six scouts medical supplies. and contributes to supplies for the In addition to Victoria Falls Safa- unit. ri Lodge, AAT’s portfolio of hotels AAT also operates the Vulture and restaurants include Victoria Culture Experience at its flag- Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Sa- ship Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, fari Suites, Lokuthula Lodges and which is a supplementary feeding The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show programme to aid the survival of in Victoria Falls, as well as Ngoma these remarkable, but endangered Safari Lodge in Chobe, Botswana. NewsDay Thursday September 27 2018 S3

Harare sets eyes on growing traffic to its tourist attractions by VANESSA GONYE

he City of Harare is focusing on increasing visits to its various attractions dotted around the city with the aim Tof increasing revenue so that they are able to offer 75% customer satisfaction in service delivery by 2020. Speaking to NewsDay, council spokesperson Michael Chideme said the city has a lot of attractions for tourism, which include parks, hotels, restaurants and vibrant night life, among others. “Harare city is tourism. In that we mean we have a lot of attractions for tourism which are very good for sight-seeing; we have hotels, restaurants, game parks, good music, vibrant night life among other things and we also have historic build- ings like Mai Musodzi Hall and Stodart Hall, both in Mbare,” he said. Mai Musodzi and Stodart halls are historical monuments and they both played a significant role in the country’s liber- ation struggle. Sunshine City Mai Musodzi Hall was named after Elizabeth Maria Musod- zi Ayema, who was Mbuya Nehanda’s niece. She was known as Amai in Mbare, due to her outstanding contribution in sup- porting the plight of women and nationalist politics in the World Tourism Day 2018 country after relocating to the populous suburb. Her role in charity and women’s emancipation made her contribution to the struggle and the city an unforgettable one, hence the importance placed on the hall which carries a lot of memories for the development of the city. Stodart Hall is where, on July 20 1960, youths bravely fought back a cordon of Rhodesian police officers, setting off a new phase of resistance against racist white rule. The hall, therefore, catapulted Mbare to a political breeding ground and the colonial government descended heavily on the sub- urb and arrested a number of nationalists. Today, the hall is a place of last vigil for national heroes and heroines, many of whom met there for meetings during the struggle. About 6,9 kilometres from Mbare is another suburb in Harare, Highfield, which was also a political epicentre in the struggle for liberation, making it a significant player in the city’s tourism drive. “We have iconic houses that housed a number of the country’s iconic formations and nationalists like (the late Vice- President) Joshua Nkomo, (former President) and Enos Nkala (now late) in Highfield; these oot are attrac- tions within the city as they have a significant role in the his- tory of the country,” Chideme said. The houses in such areas as Highfield erew instrumental in the formation of political parties and sheltering of some na- tionalists that liberated the country from colonial rule. High- field was one of the four early townships reserved for blacks in Harare, then Salisbury with a huge significance in the histo- ry of the city and country. House number 4475 along 19th Street in Old Highfield, home to former President Mugabe is bullet-perforated and still bears the marks of the many attempts on his life. Along Jabavu Drive, in the same suburb there is House number 4449 which is where Zanu was formed on August 8 1963, it was the late nationalist Nkala’s residence. The late Father Zimbabwe also resided in the same neigh- bourhood at number 4510 and the property is still intact. These iconic buildings coupled with the various scenery around the city are proof that council can make it in grow- ing traffic to its tourist attractions as they have a rich histo- ry, beautiful views, unforgettable experiences and are quite enlightening. Apart from these buildings, hotels, game parks, to men- tion a few, the city also boasts of out of the world experiences, like in spring, it will be purple all over as the jacaranda trees are blooming, giving a beautiful aerial view. “There are also township drives around revolutionary townships like Mbare and Highfield, boating and fishing on lake Chivero and Cleveland dams,” said Chideme. Harare is a hive of activity and that compliments its abil- ity to offer more on the tourism front, apart from buildings, dams and drives. S4 NewsDay | Thursday September 27 2018 TOURISM DAY SUPPLEMENT

ZTA boss Karikoga Kaseke (right) conferring with Tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira at a function recently ZTA intensifies drive to grow MICE tourism HE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), through its National Conven- tion Bureau (NCB), has intensified efforts to host more meetings and conferencesT to improve the country’s desti- nation ratings by reinforcing its engagement with various associations. Associations are crucial in the meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry as they are the main source of meetings and conferences. International Congress and Convention As- sociation (ICCA) ranks countries according to the number of association meetings and conferences held at a destination. In 2016, Zimbabwe was ranked number 12 in Africa by ICCA, while South Africa emerged as number one, followed by Morocco, Rwan- da, Egypt and Kenya. “In order to improve our ranking in Afri- ca and in the globe, we need to bid and host more association meetings,” ZTA chief exec- utive Karikoga Kaseke said, adding that this necessitated the need to intensify local associ- ation engagements. “Of course, we will follow a systematic ap- proach in doing so. We used to engage asso- ciations through one-on-one meetings and we have since felt that we can be more impact- ful if we host sectorial associations under one roof for a day of interactive exchange with our National Convention Bureau.” The NCB recently organised a workshop for various associations in the health sector in a bid to identify health association meetings and conferences that can be staged in Zimba- bwe. Tesa Chikaponya, NCB executive director, said ZTA had identified over 21 potential con- ferences that can be hosted in Zimbabwe. “We will engage those health associations that failed to attend the workshop before mov- ing on to our next sectorial engagement, the agriculture sector,” she said. Due to the immense benefits derived from hosting meetings, conferences and exhibi- tions, many countries such as Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom have embraced MICE tourism as a tool to drive eco- nomic development of key specific sectors on their economies. Zimbabwe will realise economic growth faster if every citizen takes it upon them- selves to attract events that have an economic and social impact. NewsDay |Thursday September 27 2018 S5 TOURISM DAY SUPPLEMENT Youth, women participation key to sustainable tourism

BY STAFF REPORTER Broadcasting Services minis- “The positive economic im- participation in the sector. ter, at the pact of the sector that is be- Officially opening the confer- ATRON of the Zim- African Youth in Tourism con- ing enjoyed by the bigger play- ence, Acting President Kembo babwe Youth in Tour- ference in Bulawayo last week, ers should also trickle down to Mohadi said participation of the ism, First Lady Aux- Mnangagwa said youth and wom- the youths. That’s when we can youth in tourism should never be illia Mnangagwa, has en participation was key to tour- say that statement has been ful- underestimated. called for greater en- ism development. filled.” He said the tourism sector was trepreneurialP participation of “We have heard on numerous The First Lady said her pas- key to the development of the youths and women in the tour- occasions that tourism is a low- sion was to see youths and wom- country’s economy and should ism sector to drive its growth. hanging fruit, I want to appeal en participating more in and ben- be fully supported Tourism has become part of to the Ministry of Environment, efiting from the tourism sector The conference, which is held sustainable development goals Tourism and Hospitality that She implored all relevant min- annually, sought to market Brand of many nations across the this statement will not be ful- istries to work together in ad- Zimbabwe as well as engage in globe. filled unless there is greater and dressing the challenges affecting dialogue that will enhance the In a speech read on her behalf meaningful participation of the youths and women, which she business entrepreneurial skills First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa by Information, Publicity and youth in the sector,” she said. said were hampering their full of youths. S6 NewsDay |Thursday September 27 2018 TOURISM DAY SUPPLEMENT Vic Falls potential excites investors

BY STAFF REPORTER business and leisure tourists. Mkwasi said international source HE resort town of Vic- markets had regained confidence toria Falls is inundated in Zimbabwe following the de- with inquiries from Zim- thronement of former President babwe’s major tourism Robert Mugabe last November by source markets keen on his ex-right handman, Emmerson directlyT investing into the tourism Mnangagwa. A’Zambezi River Lodge gets sector, an industry official has said. “Zimbabwe has been on the map Zimbabwe’s source markets in- for a long time, but this time around clude United Kingdom, the United that Operation Restore Legacy States of America, Australia, Ger- which took place in November, it many, South Africa, among others. actually sold Zimbabwe more,” he 2018 Hall of Fame recognition Employers Association of Tourism said. Operators president Clement Mkwa- “And then the elections that came si told NewsDay that they were inun- through without violence, they AINBOW Tourism Group’s service. both the foreign and local market dated with inquiries from different also contributed in a very big way four star A’Zambezi River TripAdvisor prides itself in playing segments for the unique and tranquil international source markets. to Zimbabwe’s name being actual- Lodge Hotel recently re- this integral role in helping travellers experience that awaits guests in the “We have realised people from our ly promoted out there. In previous ceived the TripAdvisor Cer- feel more con dent in their booking pristine natural surroundings it pro- source markets are now making ap- years, we knew that whenever there ti cate of Excellence Hall decisions. vides. plications to invest in the country. were elections, they would be travel ofR Fame recognition from the world’s “We are honoured and humbled by In 2017, the hotel was conferred Quite a lot of people from UK, the warnings and travel bans,” he said. largest online travel review platform, this recognition. We thank our guests with international awards for service United States, Australia among oth- “So the fact that Zimbabwe has TripAdvisor. for their unwavering support and excellence by international online re- ers, are making so many inquir- had talks about rejoining the Com- The achievement celebrates hos- for making A’Zambezi River Lodge view and booking platforms Hotels- ies about directly investing into the monwealth, the fact that Zimbabwe pitality businesses that have earned their leisure destination of choice,” Combined, an Australian-based hotel country,” Mkwasi said. has had peaceful elections, the fact positive traveller reviews on TripAd- Tich Hwingwiri, the recently appoint- meta-search company and Holiday- “So I suspect that they are also that there is now a new government visor over the past ve consecutive ed operations director for the group, Check, the largest German-language marketing the destination because which excludes Robert Mugabe, is years. said. evaluation portal for travel and holi- eventually they expect themselves giving the international communi- Certi cate of Excellence recipients A’Zambezi River Lodge remains days on the Internet. to be based here. They have come ty confidence and also that has led include accommodation providers, the only hotel nestled on the banks The TripAdvisor Certi cate of Excel- here several times, they know the to our usual source market like the eateries and attractions located all of the Zambezi River. lence Hall of Fame designation is pre- place, they know the potential that United Kingdom not issuing travel over the world that have continually Guests can literally walk onto the sented only to approximately 10% of the destination has. They now want warnings and bans,” Mkwasi said. delivered a quality customer experi- banks of the river from their rooms. total businesses on TripAdvisor that to invest here and before they invest, “Of course, we know about Zide- ence. The 87-roomed hotel was fully re- have consistently achieved great re- they are encouraging everyone else ra (Zimbabwe Democracy and Eco- This recognition helps travellers furbished in 2011, resulting in a rus- views over the past year. to come down to Zimbabwe,” he said. nomic Recovery), but they have not identify and book properties that tic, yet contemporary ambience. Only a small fraction of these go on Mkwasi said the industry in Victo- said any negative statement that ac- regularly deliver exceptional guest This gem of a hotel is popular with to achieve the Hall of Fame award. ria Falls was picking up, with most tually sways tourists from coming to of the hotels currently fully booked. Zimbabwe. So that alone has led to “As things are at the moment, you an influx of tourists coming in.” might not find accommodation. Al- Mkwasi said the figures they were most everyone is full this time. It’s having in Victoria Falls were com- seriously picking up. If you fail to parable to the 1999 figures. book for Christmas now, you won’t Zimbabwe recorded 597 010 over- be able to come here in December. seas arrivals in 1999. The best thing is for people to book “When you talk of the general now to secure their accommoda- number of people who are employed tion,” he said. in the industry currently, whether According to the Finance minis- they are on contract or whatever ba- try’s fiscal policy and advisory ser- sis, versus the people who were em- vices department update, Victoria ployed in 1999, that gives you an in- Falls recorded an average occupan- dication of how busy the destina- cy of 44% in March 2018 up from tion is,” he said. 37% in January 2018 and the highest “When you look at the number in the last five years. of people who pass through the air- The growth was attributed to in- port, when you look at the occupan- ternational arrivals, with 75% of the cies in general, it will actually tell occupancies in the resort town be- you that we not going back, but mov- ing foreign tourists, who are largely ing forward.”

Kufandada Zhou of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority ad- dresses international buyers in Victoria Falls NewsDay |Thursday September 27 2018 S7 TOURISM DAY SUPPLEMENT World Tourism Day in pictures

Vice-President talks to Kuyanga Angela Martha Diamantino the Tour destination promoter Former President Robert Mugabe’s house in Highfield is one of the places of interest of Kadd Investimento of Angola during his tour of some of the exhibition stands at the Sanganai/ Hlanganani that the City of Harare has to offer as a tourist attraction Tourism Expo in Bulawayo recently.

Hwange National Park

The Sleeping Pool at Chinhoyi Caves

The Great Zimbabwe Monuments S8 NewsDay |Thursday September 27 2018 TOURISM DAY SUPPLEMENT Sanganai/ Hlanganani Tourism Expo in pictures

Tourism sector urged to digitise

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

CTING President has called on tourism players to embrace technological inno- vationsA that boost tourist arrivals and increase competitiveness. Mohadi said this at the official opening of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) 2018 Tourism Convention in Victoria Falls yesterday, running under the theme Tourism Open for Busi- ness and the Digital Transforma- tion. He said the digitisation of the sector would aid government’s quest to become an upper middle income economy by 2030. “We will continue to create a peaceful environment conducive for tourism and ease of doing business,” Mohadi said. “We cannot achieve this vi- Vice-President Kembo Mohadi sion with our thinking and ac- tions stuck in the past. Through ble Development Goals (SDGs), called on tourism players to such conventions, tourism busi- which are the blueprint to achieve transform the lives of communi- nesspersons should seek initia- a better and more sustainable fu- ties around them. tives that boost tourist arrivals ture for all. “We remain committed to cre- and offer products that increase The SDGs address global chal- ating a reliable and consistent na- the length of stay in the various lenges, including those related to tional air service, linking exist- tourist attraction centres in this poverty, inequality, climate, envi- ing and new airports with sched- country. ronmental degradation, prosperi- uled services. We will continue “Effectively utilising informa- ty, including peace and justice. to create more in one-stop border tion and communication tech- “We should see the promotion posts that will operate efficiently nologies will make us more com- of an inclusive and sustainable and provide speedy, friendly ser- petitive and create easier means economic growth, full and pro- vices to users.” he said. by which travellers can find out ductive employment and descent Mohadi challenged the tourism about Zimbabwe and make book- work for all,” Mohadi said. council to come up with ways of ings for accommodation and en- He said it was pleasing to note attracting both local and inter- joy tourism products. that tourist arrivals increased national investors and to also un- “The world has been made to 2 422 930 in 2017 from 2 167 686 dertake research that helps gov- smaller and closer because of dig- in 2016, which represents a 12% ernment make evidence-based itisation. It is prudent, therefore, surge. decisions in its endeavour to ad- that this sector embrace these in- He also revealed that hotel oc- vance tourism. novations yet without losing the cupancy rates for January and Matabeleland North Provincial identity of our unique culture February stood at 22% and 24% Affairs minister Richard Moyo and heritage. It is the latter that respectively, while 18 new prop- said players inthe tourism indus- makes Zimbabwe a unique tour- erties had been developed, among try should formulate strategies ist destination.” them The Zambezi Island Lodge, that reinvigorate the sector. He said the tourism sec- The Great Plains Lodge and Mba- World Tourism Day celebra- tor should contribute towards no Manor Lodge. tions will also be held under the achievement of the Sustaina- The Acting President also same programme today. Importance of digital tech in tourism The importance of digital technologies telligence and digital platforms, on Zurab Pololikashvili. in tourism, providing opportunities for the map of sustainable development. The WTD official celebration will be innovation and preparing the sector The UN World Tourism Organisation held in Hungary, a country enjoying for the future of work, is at the centre (UNWTO) sees digital advances and steady growth of tourism backed by of World Tourism Day 2018, to be cel- innovation as part of the solution to consistent policy support and a com- ebrated in Budapest, Hungary today. the challenge of marrying continued mitment to the digital future. Oth- World Tourism Day, celebrated eve- growth with a more sustainable and er celebrations will take place world- ry September 27 around the world, is responsible tourism sector. wide. a unique opportunity to raise aware- “Harnessing innovation and digi- The official celebration will also see ness on tourism’s actual and potential tal advances provides tourism with the announcement of the semi-final- contribution to sustainable develop- opportunities to improve inclusive- ists of the first UNWTO tourism start- ment. ness, local community empowerment up competition, launched by the or- This year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) and efficient resource management, ganisation and Globalia to give visi- will help to put the opportunities pro- amongst other objectives within the bility to startups with innovative ideas vided to tourism, by technological ad- wider sustainable development agen- capable of revolutionising the way we vances including big data, artificial in- da”, said UNWTO secretary-general travel and enjoy tourism.