Zimpapers Logo

Minister Mzembi

Samantha Chigogo Herald Correspondent
TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has urged Zimbabweans to honour their prophets instead of flying to countries as far afield as Nigeria and Ghana to look for salvation.

Speaking during celebrations to mark the World Tourism Day in Harare last Friday, Minister Mzembi said honouring local prophets would help attract tourists and boost revenue generation.

“We should put our faith in local prophets instead of having fellow Zimbabweans flooding countries like Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa for spiritual confrontations,’’ he said.

Minister Mzembi said the tourism sector required initiatives that attracted more people to visit the country.

“We should embrace our local prophets to promote their international mileage so they can easily attract more delegates into the country. Let them come to fill our hotels by visiting local prophets than us going to them. We need to run by the theme: ‘Get them here, Get their money and Get them out’,” he said.

He said the recently held “Judgment Night 3” crusade attracted a number of international visitors searching for spiritual guidance.

“Many religious pilgrimage sites are endowed in the country and they could contribute to an influx of religious tourists flocking into the country as witnessed last year in the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Ebenezer, Judgment night and Night of Bliss,” he said.

He added that religious tourism was fast growing into a multi-billion industry and records 300 million travellers globally every year.

“We have several high ranking religious events bringing together about 180 000 people from Zimbabwe and other parts of the globe as they come to witness and experience the power of God through local prophets,” he said.

Minister Mzembi said Zimbabwe has received visitors seeking spiritual deliverance from Europe and Asia.