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Mr Taleb Rifai

In less than a month after holding a successful national election, Zimbabwe will be co-hosting another major event, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly with its neighbour Zambia.We urge the newly elected Zanu-PF Government to oil its civil service machinery, quasi-Government organisations and parastatals to ensure another great event.

Already Zimbabwe is on the world map because of the just- ended harmonised presidential, parliamentary and council elections. The international spotlight will continue hovering above us because of the magnitude of the UNWTO summit, which is an important global event.

We must show the world how good and efficient we are in managing and hosting gigantic events. The fact that Zimbabwe, its neighbour Zambia and indeed the Sadc region and the African continent at large stand to benefit from the co-hosting of the summit cannot be over emphasised.

We must prove to the outside world that despite the challenges posed by the ruinous economic sanctions imposed by our detractors from the West, we can still be able to host a world class conference. It is inspiring that the UNWTO itself has hailed the 31 July harmonised elections.

UNWTO secretary general Mr Taleb Rifai commended the peaceful way the elections were held saying they were a clear harbinger of the success of the forthcoming 20th session general assembly.

Mr Rifai has conveyed his congratulatory message to President Mugabe through Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi.
We know that our detractors will be wishing all manner of ills befall the summit. But just like the 31 July presidential, parliamentary and council elections, the naysayers are doomed.

Now that the animal called the inclusive government is dead and buried, all the Government departments tasked with organising the UNWTO general assembly must put shoulder to wheel and maintain our reputation of hosting major events.

The outgoing Finance Minister Tendai Biti who was reluctant to release funding to prepare for the big summit is out of the way and it must be all systems go now.

We have built a reputation and have the experience of organising major summits as shown by our successful hosting of the Non Aligned Movement summit and  the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government before we withdrew from the British-controlled club of nations. Minister Mzembi has given assurances that preparations are going on well and with the elections out of the way, there should be no distractions from the work at hand.

We have to make the most of this world summit because tourism is one of the sectors that have the potential to spur our economy to growth.
Tourist arrivals have been increasing in the past few years and industry officials confirm there was no let up even during the campaign period right up to voting and announcement of the election results.

That is the confidence that we should build on and reap tangible investments from the summit. The tourism sector and other downstream industries are set to rake in some earnings from the business generated by the summit. The benefits will also be felt even after the summit if we vigorously market ourselves as a top notch tourism destination.

We implore the Zanu-PF government to ignore those singing songs of despondency because it has the experience to run the show.