Zimbabwe tourism: We cannot market dirty destination

0a11a_837
0a11a_837
Avatar of Linda Hohnholz
Written by Linda Hohnholz

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has expressed concern over the widespread filth and appalling condition of key infrastructure in Harare, saying the state of the country’s cap

HARARE, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has expressed concern over the widespread filth and appalling condition of key infrastructure in Harare, saying the state of the country’s capital was adversely impacting efforts to promote tourism.

ZTA is hosting an international carnival this month, the second time the government-run agency has organised the event as part of efforts to put the country on the global tourism map.

Sugar Chagonda, ZTA’s spokesperson, last week said the Harare needed a thorough clean-up ahead of the carnival and urged better cooperation from the local authority.

“We are far from where we need to be,” he said.

“You cannot market a dirty destination. Cleanliness is one of the key elements that are judged when we want to talk about the attractiveness of any destination.

“What we are saying is that the cities in Zimbabwe as they are today are not presenting the image that we would want to see. From our collaboration with the Harare City Council we have not done enough.

“What we need to do is to continue sending the same message to the public that we should collaborate and clean up the country’s towns and cities, especially the capital so that we have smart and attractive destinations.”

Harare faces a myriad of problems, ranging from poor water supply to dilapidated roads. There is also no lighting on most streets, a situation that exposes residents and tourists to criminals.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...