Zim domestic tourism poised to grow

Domestic tourism is poised to grow this year following affordable packages put in place by the hospitality industry, an official said Wednesday.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of public relations, events and protocol Sugar Chagonda said many Zimbabweans fail to visit local tourist attractions due to low income.

He said in view of this stakeholders in the tourism industry had come up with affordable packages for local tourists, Zimbabwe's news agency New Ziana reported.

"We are expecting domestic tourism to increase this year as the industry now offers affordable packages to cater for low income earners," said Chagonda.

Chagonda said domestic tourism had been increasing since the beginning of the year.

"There is already an increase in hosting conferences and school trips to local tourists destinations," he said.

ZTA is currently crafting a strategy to stimulate domestic tourism which it expected to be launched by the end of the year.

ZTA anticipates a positive outlook for 2012 as tourist arrivals are expected to rise ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly which the country will co-host with Zambia.