The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Hon Walter Mzembi, said that the youths who are vending in the streets need a decent place to do their businesses. Min Mzembi said this during a press conference to give an update on preparations for the Africa Youth In Tourism Conference last week.
The minister said that there were idle buildings along Simon Mazorodze Rd which the youths can use.
“It’s painful. There is a night economy along Robert Mugabe Ave. We do not see it because we don’t go there during the night and I think we should go there and see what is happening there” said Min Mzembi.
There are a lot of youths who have turned into vendors doing businesses in the streets of Harare and other urban towns around Zimbabwe.
The patron of AYIT 2017, Hon Auxilia Mnangagwa who also spoke during the press conference, said that tourism helps in improving the standards of living, increasing foreign exchange earnings and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Other benefits include creating jobs and increasing wealth for poor local people and therefore contributing to the alleviation of poverty in a country,” Hon Mnangwangwa said.
“But most interesting is the recent indication that the youths account for a big percentage of tourists the world over. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation noted that globally, youth tourism numbers are increasing and it is predicted that by 2020 almost 190 million international youth will be visiting areas of interest, while the number will go up 300 million after the year 2020.”
The press conference was also attended by the Zimbabwe Tourism and Hospitality Chief Executive Officer Karikoga Kaseke, Egyptian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mustafe Dek Abdisalam and also Dr. Kuele representing Annie Kumwenda. AYIT is going to be held at the ZITF in Bulawayo from the 6th to the 9th of September 2017.
Twelve countries have confirmed their attendance and these include South Sudan, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Ethiopia and Botswana.
