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Sydney Gonzoiguru (left) of Culture City Heritage Youths Association shows a visitor to their stand some of their products on display during the Africa Youth in Tourism Conference exhibition at ZITF grounds last week

Kiyapili Sibanda, Business Reporter
THE patron of the Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism Mrs Auxilia Mnangagwa has said African governments should use tourism as a vehicle to transform their economies.

Mrs Mnangagwa, who is also wife to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and deputy secretary for tourism in the Zanu-PF Politburo, was addressing delegates in Bulawayo on Thursday during the inaugural Africa Youth in Tourism Conference.

“Tourism is an important ingredient for the successful turnaround of struggling African economies.

“Tourism offers quick wins and low hanging fruits, which does not require much in terms of investments.

“Tourists are not looking for the best highways when they come to Africa neither are they looking for the best hotels. They are looking for adventure,” she said.

“Youths are the future of any country and for Africa and it is important to invest in you. As a woman with experience also in business  I understand the principle of investment clearly.

“You invest in order to get a return. Investing in the youth is investing in the future and as Africa we should wake up to this reality and push for more radical policies, which will see the youths benefiting today and not tomorrow.”

Mrs Mnangagwa said tourism contributes a lot to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of African economies.

“As such she said the tourism industry was a critical sector that affords the youths more opportunities.

“I am glad to see exhibitors coming on board to support this conference. It shows that the corporate world is ready to support tourism in Africa.

“This is a good sign as Africa can have her own economic liberator,” she said.

The event was attended by youths in tourism drawn from different countries in Africa. The conference ran under the theme “The role of youth in sustainable tourism development”.

@Kiyaz_Cool