By Lastword Musekiwa
Zimbabwe is part of this year’s edition of the ITB Berlin in Germany, as authorities continue to promote the country to be a must-visit destination in Africa.
The global travel three-day event with over 5,000 exhibitors from about 170 countries opened its doors to trade visitors and buyers from the international travel industry on 5 March and Zimbabwe’s delegation is being led by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi.
During the official opening, issues on sustainable aircraft fuel to ensure climate proofing for tourism and global peace for tourism to prosper, topped discussions.
Meanwhile, Minister Rwodzwi has met with Namibian Environment and Tourism Deputy Minister Heather Sibungo to discuss areas of cooperation between Harare and Windhoek.
The two discussed key issues including the development and marketing of the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) region, with a special focus on the KAZA visa.
Deputy Minister Sibungo said her country is inspired by the work of the First Lady of Zimbabwe Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in the Gastronony Tourism Sector and Namibia has started implementing the idea.
The Deputy Minister extended the invitation to Minister Rwodzwi and the team that leading the Gastronomy Tourism initiative in Zimbabwe to the Namibia Cookouts Competitions slated for June this year.
Zimbabwe and Namibia agreed to implement the cooperation framework through the existing Memorandum of Understanding where Zimbabwe pledged support for Namibia’s fair while Namibia also committed to attend the Zimbabwe Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
