ZTA works to regain lost share of Benelux tourists Sugar Chagonda
Sugar Chagonda

Sugar Chagonda

Oliver Kazunga Acting Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has intensified efforts to regain the country’s lost share in tourist arrivals from the Benelux region, an official has said. Speaking by telephone from the Netherlands on Wednesday, ZTA head of public relations and corporate communications Sugar Chagonda said the country participated at the just ended Vakantiebuers Tourism Fair for the first time in 16 years.

The tourism fair was held from January 13 to 18.

“Our participation at this year’s Vakantiebeurs Tourism Fair gives us leverage in reconnecting with the Netherlands and the entire Benelux region.

“As we have participated at this tourism fair for the first time in 16 years, we want to step up efforts to regain our lost share of international tourist arrivals from the Netherlands and the Benelux region.

“It is against this background that during the tourism show we made powerful presentations to outbound tour operators about Zimbabwe,” he said.

The Benelux region includes Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

At its peak, the Benelux market contributed about nine percent of Zimbabwe international tourist arrivals, but the figure has dropped to less than one percent.

Chagonda said Zimbabwe’s delegation to the Vakantiebuers Tourism Fair was led by the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Retired Brigadier General Walter Kanhanga.

He said during the fair Rtd Brig Gen Kanhanga took the opportunity to present on vast investment opportunities available in different sectors of Zimbabwe’s economy.

“Rtd Brig Gen Kanhanga also outlined various investment opportunities available in the country.

“He said the country is open for investment not only in the tourism sector but also in areas such as agriculture, mining, and energy among others.”

Chagonda said Rtd Brig Gen Kanhanga highlighted that Zimbabwe was open for investment in conference facilities.

Last October, ZTA said it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese investor to build conference facilities with a capacity to host large number of delegates.

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