MUTARE– Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) has ushered in a new executive which has pledged to build a new path of cooperation to grow the tourism sector.
By Donald Nyarota
The association’s elective annual general meeting on Friday saw Holiday Inn Harare’s general manager Clive Chinwada elected the new president, deputized by Farai Chimba and Brian Nyakutombwa of the Victoria Falls Hotel and Montclair as the first and second vice president respectively.
The elective congress, which was running under the theme; “Hospitality Stepping into the Fourth Industrial Revolution” concluded with the election of a new executive board.
Incoming president Chinwada, in his acceptance speech, said there was a need for collaborative efforts by private players in the sector to meaningfully contribute towards economic development.
Chinwada said the contribution by the tourism industry calls for the private sector and government collaboration to ensure streamlined polices that can enhance progress.
“I was looking at some statistics in relation to our industry and I believe we can surely leverage on the massive role our industry plays both globally and locally to enhance our bargaining power in relation to policy formulation at national level.
“The contribution by the tourism and hospitality industry to the Zimbabwean economy which is earmarked at US$6 billion by 2023 as mentioned by the permanent secretary is worthwhile to put on record. Surely given these statistics, the reputation of our industry should and must be stronger.
“Together we will build a new path to cooperation and team spirit as we contribute to the growth of our economy. Let us, escalate, elevate and deepen the contribution of the hospitality industry to the national economy,” said Chinwada.
HAZ represents and promotes the interests of owners and operators of accommodations, restaurants, clubs and related establishments throughout the country.
