The tourism industry in Zimbabwe has experienced fluctuating trends in its growth since the dawn of the new millennium. The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry undertook a visitor exit survey in 2015/2016 period. The purpose of the study was to gather visitors' views on Zimbabwe as a tourist destination in order to guide policy formulation on the sector. One of the objectives of the survey was to assess the visitor perceptions of Zimbabwe as a competitive tourist destination. Questionnaires were administered to departing visitors at the country's three international airports and seven border posts during the period July 2015 until June 2016. The results of the survey indicated that 77% of visitors use road transport to enter into the country. The survey also showed that 18% of visitors to the country travelled by air. It is recommended that that the government accelerates the implementation of the open skies policy so as to attract more direct international airlines to fly into the country. It is also recommended that the government undertakes massive improvement of the road infrastructure in the country so as to encourage the geographical distribution of tourists within the country. It is finally recommended that the private sector and the national tourist organization, Zimbabwe Tourist Authority (ZTA) engage international tour operators and persuade them to develop and promote fly-drive tour packages to the country.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess how far the government of Zimbabwe’s tourism policies and strategies have affected the development of the tourism and hospitality sector. Methods: The study was based on a review of the literature on tourism development in Zimbabwe. A range of peer-reviewed papers, reports from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). reports from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), and those of the Ministry of Environment, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry were consulted. The information offered a clear picture of how far the government had contributed to influencing the development of the tourism and hospitality industry during the period. Results: The results of the study showed that for the period up to 2000 the government played only a facilitating role in the development of the sector. The results further showed that the government took a more proactive role in planning the development of the industry only when the persistent negative image of the country threatened the collapse of the sector. Implications: It is recommended that the country effectively implements the National Tourism Master Plan and the National Tourism Sector Strategy which were launched in 2016 and 2018 respectively. A constant review of the National Tourism Sector Strategy will ensure an effective response to the global and national macro-economic, social and political changes that will occur during the plan period.
Information communication technologies (ICTs) are a tool that is used by a large number of stakeholders in the tourism industry for product distribution and transacting. This is a result of the development of technology and a response to changes in customer purchasing behaviour. The study aimed at determining the ICT adoption and use by Zimbabwean tour operators. The qualitative research method was used through face –to- face interviews with key informants from the tourism industry. The study revealed that the majority of tour operators had not adopted information communication technologies in their business operations. This was a result of a number of factors for example, lack of knowledge about ICTs, limited information communication technologies infrastructure in the country and lack of appropriate government policies on ICTs. The study concluded that if the tour operators continue to use the current outdated business models the enterprises will gradually decline and close down. It is recommended that the government implements training programmes that are aimed at improving the tour operators’ knowledge about the role that ICTs play as part of a business strategy as well as improving their general knowledge about the tourism industry. The study further recommended that local tour operators seek partnership with international tour operators selling holiday packages to Zimbabwe. This will help the tour operators to lip-frog the “digital divide” at the same time giving them a chance for long term survival.
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