Isdore Guvamombe in Victoria Falls
TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has been elected president of the Africa Travel Association. Minister Mzembi won a unanimous vote in absentia at the 37th ATA congress on Monday and will preside over the affairs of the

US-based organisation for the next two years.
He will be presiding over a 30-member ATA international advisory council, which also includes a 12-member executive board with representatives of the governments of Zambia, Kenya, Central Africa Republic, Uganda, Nigeria and Cameroon, among others.

Addressing journalists after the elections, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the election gives Zimbabwe the leverage to promote and market its tourism in the United States.
“I am extremely happy to announce that Minister Mzembi has been elected to the top of ATA as president. He will preside over ATA issues for two years.

“I am also glad to announce that Zimbabwe will by Thursday have formed a Young Professional Council chapter of ATA to get things moving,’’ said Mr Kaseke.
The election, adds another hat for Minister Mzembi who also sits in the executive council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and used his position to

influence UNWTO to grant Zimbabwe the right to co-host, with Zambia the 2013 UNWTO general assembly.

Minister  Mzembi, who sits on the Berlin and United States based Institute of Cultural Diplomacy Board, is now a “sought-after” speaker on the international fora and is expected to use his international network to market and promote Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality industry.