By Daniel Chigundu
ZIMBABWE Tourism Authority (ZTA) says the country remains a safe tourist destination for both local and international travellers despite the recent post-election violence that happened a few days ago.
According to ZTA, the protests were only experienced in Harare’s Central Business District and did not affect the country’s tourist attraction centres.
In a statement to the media, ZTA said while the events are regrettable, they, however, did not in any way affect the country’s “safe destination status”
“The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) would like to inform all valued tourists from both the domestic and international markets that, notwithstanding the post-election violence witnessed on 01 August 2018 in the capital city, Harare, Zimbabwe remains a safe destination for any traveller.
“The incidents of protests that occurred in parts of the Central Business District (CBD) and the southeastern areas of the capital city were quickly brought under control through the timely intervention of the police with the assistance of the army.
“We would like to state that the disturbances were restricted to the central business district of Harare and the rest of the country remained peaceful and all our tourist resort sites undisturbed by the state of affairs in the capital city.
“We would like to urge all travellers to Zimbabwe and those currently in the country to conduct their business deals as the situation is back to normal. Leisure travellers are therefore happily advised to stay calm and enjoy their experience in this, our Zimbabwe – A World of Wonders,” said the statement.
Zimbabwe is currently working on using its peaceful status as part of its destination marketing strategy in a bid to lure tourist from across the world.
Tourism has been identified as one of the country’s low hanging fruits capable of helping grow the economy by bringing more of the much needed foreign currency.
However, the ZTA says tourism can only thrive in a peaceful environment as no one would like to visit dangerous destinations.
“Tourism thrives in a peaceful environment and as such the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority does not condone any form of violence at all and joins the rest of the nation and international community to condemn the perpetrators of violence in the strongest terms,” added the statement.
The Authority also took the opportunity to extend its condolences to the bereaved families.
