Zimbabwe-born
Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira has been named Tourism Ambassador for
destination Zimbabwe with the main objective to increase tourism traffic into
the country.
This comes as the global trend in tourism today calls for destinations to
appoint Tourism Ambassadors as advocates for the destination offerings.
Zimbabwe is bidding to lure an ambitious three million visitors by end of 2019,
having received 2,5 million visitors in 2018.
Mtawarira was conferred the honour Wednesday morning at a Harare hotel by the
Minister of Environment, Tourism & Hospitality Industry, Hon. Priscah
Mupfumira.
“The concept of Tourism Brand Ambassadors
is widely used as a tool for promoting many destinations across the globe,”
Mupfumira said.
“People are appointed Tourism Ambassadors for their ability to significantly
contribute to the promotion of destinations with the main objective of
increasing tourism traffic.
“Tourism Ambassadors could be nationals of Zimbabwe or non –nationals for which
the titles would be Tourism Ambassador for the former and Honorary Tourism
Ambassador for the latter. The term of office varies from a minimum period of a
year to a period as determined by my Ministry.
“The person chosen must have excelled in a particular discipline, be it sport,
music, art, business, beauty pageants or charity work thereby giving them
influence on the international arena. The individual must be of high integrity,
must be apolitical and also able to defend the interests of Destination
Zimbabwe.”
Acting Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Rita Likukuma said the
veteran Sharks front rower, The Beast, who is famous for being the first black
Springbok to play 100 Tests and even eclipsed Adriaan Strauss as South Africa’s
most capped Super Rugby player, is an opinion leader whose help would be
strategic in positioning Destination Zimbabwe as a destination of choice.
“Given all his fame on the global rugby arena, he has remained grounded. His
humility is worth admiring and his involvement with two major charities here in
Zimbabwe, both committed to helping children in school and sport has earned
himself the status of philanthropist. His love for Zimbabwe shines through his
dedication and hard work, and above all leading by example on whatever he does
in his life,” Likukuma said.
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