Zimbabwe is set to host the second edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Conference from 19th to 23rd of September this year.
Addressing during the launch of the conference preparations in Harare today, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Prisca Mupfumira urged the lead organisers of the event to be inclusive.
“The event is of high magnitude as compared to the 2017 Conference, so include all those who matter and discussion should be guided by constructive themes for development,” Mupfumira said.
“Let us define our goals and objectives very well so that our Conference will be a success. We want to empower our youths, capacitate them through optimum utilisation of such platforms.”
The conference is expected to be a place for lots of networking, knowledge sharing and exhibitions among young people, tourism players and operators according to the Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Thokozile Chitepo.
“We expect our youths to participate in different projects as well developing their livilihoods and creating employment and improving our economy,” Chitepo said.
“The absence of fully participation by youths gave a limb to our tourism sector. This has in turn come to our attention as the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority as well as the Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism.”
This year’s conference is running under the theme is “Fostering Tourism Development and Innovation in Africa through Youth participation.”
The Hospitality Industry Minister, who officially launched the preparations for Africa Youth in Tourism Conference challenged young men and women to embark on sustainable tourism development projects that give fulfilment to today and tomorrow, with full exploitation of new innovations and technologies.
“Remember youthfulness only comes once in life, soon you will be graduating to old men and women, take advantage of this opportunity,” Mupfumira said.
