Perpetua Murungweni
Local authorities have been said to be important to sustainable tourism and should not be left out in working towards achieving a sustainable Tourism Zimbabwe.
Speaking during ZTA provincial workshop held at Chevron Hotel on March 30, Masvingo Great Zimbabwe Publicity Association Chairperson Dr Phanos Matura urged all tourism stakeholders to work hand in hand with local authorities and engage local communities in working towards achieving a sustainable Tourism Zimbabwe.
“In order to achieve a sustainable Tourism Zimbabwe by the year 2030, I urge you all that there is need to work hand in hand with local authorities and there is also need to support one another by buying from the local markets and employing workers from the local communities.
“Engaging local authorities is very important as it helps in preserving our cultures and heritage, by engaging with the local authorities tourists will have better knowledge of the norms, values and language of the area they are visiting, this will help them to enjoy their tours,” said Dr Matura.
Nyaradzai Maduro of National Museum and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) added that as a stakeholder in tourism, they work with local authorities by allowing full participation of local communities at Great Zimbabwe monuments.
“NMMZ promotes and empowers local authorities by ensuring full participation of local communities at Great Zimbabwe monuments. Local communities are given a chance to participate in traditional dances, showcase and sell their African traditional products such as poultry and sculptures,” said Maduro.
Tsitsi Munetsi of ZTA who presented on sustainable Tourism indicators also encouraged the stakeholders to negotiate with local communities saying there is need to respect them in order to get their support.
“Community support is a major sustainable tourism indicator that shows the growth and achievement of a sustainable Tourism Zimbabwe. I urge you all stakeholders here to respect local communities, culturally interact with them and respect what they believe in order to get their support,” said Munetsi.
Sustainable Tourism was defined as sustainable practices in and by the tourism industry. It is tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.
