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Minister Mzembi

Harare Bureau
TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Engineer Walter Mzembi hailed the constitutional court ruling on Thursday confirming 31 July as the date for the harmonised elections saying this would free the month of August ahead of UNWTO General Assembly.  He said the post-election period was a perfect time to rebrand the country.
Minister Mzembi said this while briefing the business community on the progress of the  co-hosting of the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly.

“I am happy that the constitutional court re-affirmed 31 July as the election date. This has sent the right signal regarding the event and this opportunity could have not come better than now,” said Minister  Mzembi.

“Holding of elections constitutes the peace and stability of a country. We can now focus on preparations for the important event as the month of August is now clear.”

Minister Mzembi said the opportunity to host another UNWTO General Assembly for Zimbabwe would come again in the year 2357 — 344 years from now.

He called for the business fraternity to sponsor the event so that collectively the national position could be leveraged.
“We are inviting the business community interest in the glamorous official opening of the UNWTO General Assembly which will be in the evening.
“If you are seriously in business you don’t want to be missing in the three-hour magical moments of the official opening.”

Minister Mzembi added that the opportunity would place corporate brands along UN brands and raise the status of Zimbabwe as a tourism destination.

He also revealed his ministry’s intention to place an international advertisement on CNN on the correct position about the Victoria Falls, budgeted at $275 000.

Other expenses included construction of a plenary venue which cost $1 250 000, ICT equipment worth $45 000, expansion of Vic Falls airport at $168 000 and a traditional village to cost $224 000.

Sponsorship for the business community was grouped into four categories- platinum, gold, silver and bronze.
Each category sponsor will enjoy benefits including advertisements, exhibition stands, banners, gala dinner among other benefits.

“We still have 1 200 hectares of land for development at Vic falls. We will be using modern aluminium and glass facilities at Elephant Hills. This should be ready by mid August and the facilities will last for at least 50 years,” he said.

Minister Mzembi described the week-long event as a long-term investment and business opportunity.
Speaking at the same occasion Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Development Mr Munesu Munodawafa announced that a golf tournament at the Elephant Hills golf club would be held on 9  August.