BUSINESS REPORTER
Zimbabwe will host the UNWTO Communication Media and Tourism Training in Africa workshop in November in another boost for the country’s efforts to host global events.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive Winnie Muchanyuka signed a hosting agreement with UNWTO secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili for the workshop which runs from November 13 to 15 in Victoria Falls.
The workshop will see the convergence of all the members and affiliates to the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa in Victoria Falls, the ZTA said.
Zimbabwe’s hosting of the UNWTO event dovetails with the country’s thrust to grow the tourism sector by tapping into the meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition (MICE) tourism.
The National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy has placed the promotion of MICE tourism as an integral component of the tourism recovery plan.
“The hosting of MICE activities such as Conferences, Events, Fairs and Festivals has the potential to bring people and businesses together thereby building trust and boosting confidence in the destination. Engagement will be made with the relevant organisations that had cancelled or postponed scheduled international conferences to have them reconvened in the future,” the document said.
However, some countries, such as Rwanda, have been aggressive in getting the conferences thereby reaping the benefits of MICE tourism.
