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Audrey Rundofa and Ropafadzo Ndangariro
Government is embarking on a Domestic Tourism Campaign within the 100 days action plan framework to encourage Zimbabweans to go on holidays within the country. Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira said this at a Press conference on Domestic Tourism Policy direction in Harare yesterday.

She said domestic tourism should be the bedrock of a sustainable tourism industry, as it is not affected by the external environment, which has an impact on foreign tourist markets.

“Countries with successful tourism industries have vibrant domestic tourism, for example China’s domestic tourism generated 4,8 billion trips and $681 billion in 2017 according to China National Tourism Administration (CNTA),” said Minister Mupfumira.

“South Africa developed the Sho’t Left Campaign in 2013 to encourage domestic travel. The campaign’s ideals were that there was always a first time to experience something new and that every weekend provided an opportunity to do something that had never been done before.”

Minister Mupfumira urged people to consider taking holidays within the country first. “Tourism like charity should begin at home, we are strongly encouraging our people to take holidays in the country first before considering other destinations,” she said.

“I am aware that a big number of Zimbabweans are going on holiday within the region and abroad. They know a lot of places outside Zimbabwe and not much about their own country.” Minister Mupfumira said the need for a collaborative agreement of both the private and public sector in the initiative could never be over emphasised.