By Tendai Guvamombe
Harare, Zimbabwe (News Of The South)- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is confident the high level delegation visit of 343 tourists from China will help boost Zimbabwe’s tourist arrivals while also expanding and diversifying the country’s tourism source markets.
The tourists from China are the first batch of at least 10 000 tourists from the East Asian country expected to visit Zimbabwe in the next five years.
Speaking during a welcome reception at the State House Thursday evening, President Mnangagwa said the historic visit was yet another welcome endorsement and recognition of Zimbabwe as a safe and must visit destination.
The group of Chinese business and leisure tourists are making their last lag of whirlwind 10-day African journey that started in Djibouti, continued in Tanzania and is now ending at destination Zimbabwe.
“I recognise that this tour is the first of its kind from the People’s Republic of China, comprising tourists, potential investors, tourism buyers and members of the media fraternity”.
“I would like to pay tribute to the President of Touchroad International Holdings Group, Mr He Liehui who is the organiser of the tour, dubbed ‘Tour Africa – the New Horizon’ Tourism Project.
This comes at a time when the tourism sector has received international recognition and endorsement which saw Zimbabwe being nominated as the third Best in Travel in the World as well as riding high after being named the sustainable destination of the year during the recent ITB Travel Show.
“This commitement of monthly tourist delegations by Touchroad International Holdings Group, is yet another welcome endorsement and recognition of Zimbabwe, as a safe and must visit destination,” Mnangagwa said.
“My Goverment has adopted various strategies to ensure sustainable long term growth of the tourism sector. These include increasing tourist arrivals and promoting investment in tourism related infrastructure.”
Speaking at the same occasion Minister of Environment, Tourism and Industry Hon Prisca Mupfumira elaborated on the state visit to China some time last year led by President Mnangagwa which spearheaded into signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Touchroad International Group.
“In April 2018, I had an opportunity to be part of the delegation led by His Excellency, the President Cde E.D. Mnangagwa during his inaugural State Visit to China. In pursuant of His Excellency’s passion to promote investment in Zimbabwe, a number of business deals were signed. During this visit we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Touchroad International Holdings Group in the field of Tourism Investment and Promotion. ”
According to the Tourism Minister the momentous occasion is a reflection of the operationalisation of of the mega deals envisioned in the Memorandum of Understanding through the Tour Africa- The New Horizon tourism project.
“We are gathered here today, Ladies and Gentlemen, to witness the operationalisation of the Memorandum of Understanding through the Tour Africa- The New Horizon tourism project. The Tour Africa- The New Horizon is a tourism project aimed at attracting the Chinese market to Zimbabwe for purposes of investment and leisure visits.”
The group of Chinese business and leisure tourists are making their last lag of whirlwind 10-day African journey that started in Djibouti, continued in Tanzania and is now ending at destination Zimbabwe.
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