Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Priscah Mupfumira has commented on Zimbabwe’s selection by Lonely Planet’s list of the best countries to visit in 2019 while giving a keynote address at the Invest Zimbabwe Forum in London United Kingdom today.
Lonely Planet listed Zimbabwe in top three on the list of the best countries to visit in 2019.
“The international travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet, has selected Zimbabwe as one of the top three destinations in the world to visit in 2019,” Mupfumira said. “Let us celebrate this high-point in our international tourism drive and welcome the world to Zimbabwe.”
“The accolades that Zimbabwe has received from Lonely Planet, among other international publishers and guides, affirm that an investment into Zimbabwe’s tourism sector would be lucrative and enjoy high growth prospects,” Mupfumira said.
Lonely Planet’s comment on Zimbabwe’s selection says that while it may be known for making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, the southern African nation has always been a country that travelers on the ground have raved about.
“Not only is it one of Africa’s safest destinations, it’s one blessed with ultra-friendly locals, Big Five-filled national parks, World Heritage-listed archaeological ruins, forested mountains and, of course, the mighty Victoria Falls,” Lonely Planet says.
“Although the controversial 2018 election may have dampened the unbridled optimism following the end of Robert Mugabe’s time in power, the sense of hope for what the country can become remains strong in Zimbabweans.”
“And as always, a visit here is viewed by locals as a sign of support of them on their journey to a new dawn,” the international travel guide goes on.
The Hospitality Minister, who told investors in the UK that the tourism sector is expected to grow by more than 20 percent in 2018, surpassing 2.5 million arrivals.
“Zimbabwe’s unique offerings of flora and fauna, and world heritage sites such as the Victoria Falls, avails major opportunities for tourism-sector investment,”
