Harare — ZIMBABWE is set to host the World Conference of Mayors, an association that brings together more than 2 200 mayors from the world's cities and towns by the end of the year, the organisation's International Ambassador said yesterday.

The conference will be a timely boost to Zimbabwe's economic revival project as it provides a platform for a wide spectrum of Zimbabweans and their various business interests to exchange marketing and investment ideas.

Speaking after being conferred the Zimbabwe Tourism Honorary Ambassador to the United States of America in Harare yesterday, WCM International Ambassador Mr Oscar Webb, a black American visiting Zimbabwe, said he was already working on the modalities and logistics to bring the mayors to Zimbabwe.

"I am working on the modalities of bringing the mayors to Zimbabwe. For starters, I am definitely bringing a group of at least 50 mayors in October to the Sanganai Travel Exposition and eventually come for the conference in December 2009 or January next year. I am working on schedule and it will be done," said Mr Webb.

Mr Webb, who sits on 10 boards in America and is a respected banker and businessman, is visiting Zimbabwe at the invitation of the Government through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority's perception management programme.

He said he spent more than three decades developing America, where his forefathers went as slaves and that now he wants to channel his knowledge and resources towards developing Africa.

"I have spent all my life in the Diaspora and for more than 30 years I have developed and established business for the black people in America. I am reconnecting with my roots and I will put all efforts," he said.

Mr Webb was anointed Honorary Ambassador together with his business partner and long time colleague Prince Asiel Ben Israel. They both live in Chicago, USA.

Prince Israel is a consultant with the World Bank and represents 300 small African American business.

He is also International Ambassador Extraordinaire of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said he was confident the two would export the necessary tourism image to America.

"America is the second largest market in the world in terms of tourist generation and spending. There are 44 million African Americans and most of them want to reconnect with their roots through travel and tourism and this is the market we are targeting.

"Perception management plays a very crucial role in tourism industry and the two gentlemen will manage our perception," said Minister Mzembi.