Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi said that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) secretary general post which he is vying for will reap huge benefits for the country.
Addressing members of media in the capital yesterday Mzembi said the post would promote international engagement as well as boosting domestic tourism.
“This will be the highest deployment of the country and it comes with a wide range of advantages while at the same time promoting international engagements,” he said.
He added that he is competing for the position with a clear vision to ensure a UNWTO that is responsive to Member states aspirations for global tourism that is inclusive, integrative, tolerant responsible, empowering, equitable and an effective tool for citizen participation.
Mzembi has also approached the African Union seeking support for the UNWTO secretary general candidature which has so far been held by only two regions, Africa and Asia.
“The next objective must be to seek endorsement to the candidature by the African Union – so that I officially become Africa’s candidate.
“I am pleased to share with you the fact that the requisite documentation has already been filed with AU’s candidature committee in Addis Ababa and that we are confident of securing AU endorsement during the course of the forthcoming AU Summit in Rwanda,” said Mzembi.
Minister Mzembi has pinned his hopes on the post. He said that once he secures the post, the harsh economic challenges that Zimbabwe is facing will be a thing of the past.
“The challenges we are facing now will be a thing of the past once we attain the UNWTO secretary general post, we will strengthen and we will emerge stronger,” said Mzembi,
As part of his campaign strategy, Minister Mzembi promised to assist the youth and women saying that the best way to develop the country is to invest in women and youth.
“My strong conviction is premised on the philosophy that if you empower women and the youth, you empower the whole nation,” he said adding that tourism is a low hanging fruit that manifestly can be leveraged to empower women and the youth.
Going forward he said he will work on the insecurities which include the induced Elnino droughts which are causing shortage of water at Kariba, leading to power shortages in the country.
He also challenged the media to promote the country’s image contrary to the coverage which portrays Zimbabwe as a war zone.
