Zimbabwe-born Springbok prop Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira has been named Tourism Ambassador for destination Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority says its main objective for the appointment is to increase tourism traffic into destination Zimbabwe and enhance its ambitious three million visitors by end of 2019, having received 2,5 million visitors in 2018.
This comes as the global trend in tourism today calls for destinations to appoint Tourism Ambassadors as advocates for the destination offerings.
The conferment was presided over by Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Priscah Mupfumira, who elaborated the need to extensively market the country and hope to lure more investors as the country moves to restore the lost glory of being a tourism heavyweight.
“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 being to increase 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.”
Mupfumira said a tourism ambassador 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.
She emphasized that 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.
