Client
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development / Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry
National Tourism Master Plan Zimbabwe
Location
Zimbabwe
Period
2015 – 2016
Project Description
Zimbabwe has been at the forefront of Southern African tourism for decades, with such iconic destinations as Victoria Falls being most visible. The country has been regarded as a ‘must see’ on the Southern African circuit, for international tourists, a highly regarded destination for Regional leisure and business travel and an excellent domestic holiday destination. Other destinations, such as Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, Monomotapa, Great Zimbabwe and Hwange National Park have been, almost, legendary for international and Southern African regional tourism and destinations of choice for domestic tourism – for decades back to the 1960s.
However, the above potential is still under-developed. Although tourist arrivals experienced a slight increase of 2.6% in 2014, Zimbabwe is still 60% lower in terms overseas market compared to 1999, the best year were overseas arrivals almost hit 600,000. If Zimbabwe is to develop an effective and efficient tourism industry, those challenges currently hindering the country’s tourism development have to be addressed. A number of issues have been outlined by recent study papers. Amongst others, weakness of the framework for investment in the tourism sector, unfavourable international image of the country, strong regional competition, nature and conservation pressures, limited skilled tourism labour force and infrastructure gaps.
In this context, the Africa Development Bank has supported the Government in reducing youth unemployment and increasing tourism revenues through the Youth and Tourism Enhancement Project.
The overall objective of this consultancy was to assist the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry to develop a clear and concise National Tourism Master Plan that will act as the overarching guide to the development of Tourism in Zimbabwe by providing direction to product development and diversification, infrastructure development, manpower development, community participation, preservation of nature, culture and heritage and marketing and promotion strategies.
The study area includes a number of sites listed by UNESCO in the World Heritage List: “Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas”, “Great Zimbabwe National Monument”, “Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls”, “Matobo Hills”.
Scope of Services
Inventory and assessment of tourism resources, preparation of the National Tourism Master Plan and of Tourism Development Zones Plans, support for the organisation of an Investors’ Forum.