By Burzil Dube, The Standard
HEARTY congratulations to Winnet Muchanyuka on her appointment as chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the country’s tourism and hospitality promotion body.
The tourism promotion body has of late been on a crusade to woo visitors from all walks of life as the country is currently recovering from Covid-19 ripple effects where travelling and touring was the hardest hit.
Muchanyuka, an accomplished and astute businesswoman whose passion for tourism is unparalleled, has pledged to work closely with the media in telling the good story about Zimbabwe.
Yours Truly is looking forward to working closely with her as well as the ZTA, which at times has not lived up to its billing as far as the media relations are concerned.
Despite some lackadaisical response from the country’s tourism promotional entity, Yours Truly will continue to be on “Zimbho” lane as we seek to play a critical role in world of travelling and touring as earlier mentioned in this column.
According to the ZTA website, “Zimbho” is a street lingo for “good” or showing understanding “ZimBho” is motivated by the street lingo “Bho”, a slang word casually used in everyday language and celebrating various tourism offerings within the country.
Yours Truly would like to pay tribute to ZTA for ensuring that both local and foreign visitors are equipped with necessary information, especially on their welfare and other related issues.
There are times when one has to shoot from the hip as part of efforts of creating mutual understanding and long lasting relations.
Some of the valuable information includes carrying extra cash as a precautionary measure for malfunctioning bank cards or any other related inconveniences.
There is also need for identification of travel companions for planning purposes as well as togetherness on nights out and creation of fantastic memories where no one is left out.
Even those who envisage travelling solo, it is also nice but they need to take some of the above mentioned advice.
There is need to try local food to bond with a particular area and such relationships may be cemented through domestic cuisine.
One has to be wary of pickpockets. Just like any other society such malcontents do exist and Zimbabwe is no exception. These unruly characters may be found in major cities with tourists being prime targets even though one must not spend the whole trip worrying about such issues as security is water tight.
However, one has to keep their belongings closer especially in public places and the norm around the globe.
To those who will be driving, there is need for some familiarity with defence driving as well as obeying of road rules because there are chances of encountering unruly motorists on the highway. If feeling unsafe while on the road, find a service station for safety or stop at a well lit area.
Carrying of hand sanitisers might be of importance even though Zimbabwe’s adherence to World Health Organisation’s guidelines and protocols is top notch.
There are some places that run out of sanitisers, hence the need to keep yourself a small bottle for use in case of emergency.
Family and friends need to be kept on the loop in terms of one’s travelling and touring itinerary. This will enable them to have a rough idea of where you are at any given time even when communication through mobile phones might be problematic.
Creation of provisional daily itinerary is also of utmost importance as this is an indication of a more organised tour outing and must have a little bit of flexibility on time management and other related pastime activities.
These are some abridged tourist guidelines availed by ZTA as part efforts to promote the country’s tourism industry to both local and foreign visitors.
Now that Muchanyuka has pledged to take this industry to dizzy heights with assistance of members from The Fourth Estate, Yours Truly believes her objectives are feasible if the tourism promotion body also plays ball.
Zimbho is the way to go as Zimbabwe is a world of tourism wonders.
Till we meet again in the next column.
Comments always welcome on: dubebasill@gmail.com or Twitter@DubeBurzi
