ZTA New Boss
Newly appointed Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Winnie Muchanyuka has promised to make major strides towards achieving a US$5 billion tourism industry by 2025.
“And my favourite saying is lots of blood, sweat and tears to be able to achieve that we have been called to serve and this is what I intend on doing,” Muchanyuka said.
She also acknowledged the work done by the ZTA so far despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic which hampered growth of the tourism sector.
“The work being done by the ZTA during Covid is amazing. In my other portfolio, as you heard, I am the immediate Vice-President of the Tourism council.
“I had an opportunity to work very closely with the Ministry and to the ZTA and the collaboration was just something else. I think the Minister is really proud of the industry and the work that we did together during that period. It is my hope that we continue in that trajectory,” she said.
Muchanyuka added she would build on the work by former acting CEO Mr Givemore Chidzidzi.
“I really need to acknowledge and praise the team for the work they have done. I pledge my support to the mandate that has been given to me and the mandate that has come from the principal and what they expect me to deliver in achieving a five billion dollar economy by 2025,” Muchanyuka said.
“The appointment of Winnie Muchanyuka to the ZTA as CEO is apt in that she is not a stranger to the tourism industry. The industry awaited such an appointment with comfort. There are high hopes for tourism amid clear signs of recovery in the sector. Statistically, the first quarter of 2022 has been quite promising and there is a need to maintain that trajectory,” Tourism Minister, Mangaliso Ndhlovu said.
Tourism inflows were up ,10 percent, contributing US$214 million to the fiscus.
“As we are opening up the sector, the tourism industry should grow bigger and bigger. ZTA is the critical bridge between the private sector and policymaking,” Ndhlovu said.
Muchanyuka brings a wealth of experience to the ZTA. She was on the board of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe and the Chinhoyi University School of Tourism.
She has vast experience in the aviation industry with a stint as an air hostess for Air Zimbabwe and Swiss Air. She also worked as an executive for the South African Airways.
Gemnation/TheNewsReportLive
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