Published by the government of Zimbabwe
20 June 2008
Harare — THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is hosting eight journalists from the Middle East as part of its perception management programme allowing travel writers to see, first-hand, the situation in Zimbabwe.
Yesterday's visit by the journalists is a follow-up to the ZTA's recent participation at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where the Zimbabwean delegation had an opportunity to counter constant negative publicity from hostile Western media.
At a Press briefing in Harare yesterday, two British journalists based in Dubai, who arrived in the country yesterday morning, said they felt safe in Zimbabwe.
The other six journalists are set to join them in Victoria Falls at the weekend.
"I feel pretty welcome in Zimbabwe. I was greeted with smiling faces and I'm interested in seeing what the situation in Zimbabwe is like.
"This is not my first visit to the country as I last visited the country eight years ago," said Kate Hazell of ITP, a media group with over 200 publications.
She was at first reluctant to come to Zimbabwe in view of the adverse media attention but she said she was aware of how the truth could be manipulated.
Speaking at the same briefing, Adam Wilson of AMG media group said they had been given an opportunity to see Zimbabwe for themselves instead of relying on what they read in the media.
"I am looking forward to the time I will spend in the country. I would like to see the day-to-day life of the people of Zimbabwe and I am sure the memories of the seven days I will spend here will last a lifetime.
" Zimbabwe is an amazing country with friendly people," said Adam.
ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the organisation wanted the media to sample an array of Zimbabwe's tourism products and erase the negative perception that they may have during their stay.
"It is our hope that when they go back to their markets, they will be reporting about Zimbabwe from an informed position.
"The visit by the media delegation is also targeted at establishing strategic partnerships in the promotion of our tourism products," said Mr Kaseke.
The two journalists donated several blankets and stationery to Chinyaradzo Children's Home in Highfield later in day.
Last year Zimbabwe received 5 468 visitors and earned US$4 million from the Middle East and this year ZTA is targeting 10 000 visitors.
Meanwhile, another delegation comprising the media, travel agencies and tour operators from Japan, is scheduled to arrive in the country over the weekend as part of this aggressive tourism marketing campaign.
Japan recently upgraded travel warnings to Zimbabwe from level 1, which is a basic warning to its citizens intending to travel to Zimbabwe to do so with caution, to level two, which forbids its citizens from visiting the country.
The team is expected to assess the situation in the country, particularly Victoria Falls, which is the most popular destination among Japanese tourists.
After the assessment, the team is expected to lobby its government to revise its travel warnings.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
