Zimbabwe has won the right to host the 2008 International Travel and Tourism Conference, a gathering of global players in the tourism industry owing to its aggressive marketing strategy, an official said on Tuesday.

 

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Chief Executive Officer Karikoga Kaseke said that Zimbabwe convinced the International Travel and Tourism Council and the buyers that it is a safe tourism destination with great potential.

 

"As part of the country's tourism marketing strategy, we convinced the world that Zimbabwe is a good conference venue for the global event, which is expected to rack in millions in much needed foreign currency," he said.

 

He said it was confirmed that the conference, to be held in Georgia in the United States next year, would be coming to Zimbabwe, the first time that the event will be held on African soil.

 

Owing to its improved marketing, Zimbabwe saw a marked improvement in figures of both exhibitors and buyers at the Travel Expo that ended last week. It recorded a massive 130 exhibitors and 365 buyers compared to last year's 83 exhibitors and 146 international buyers.

 

Zimbabwe has witnessed a decline in tourist arrivals since 2000 on the back of international media criticism as a result of the land reform program the government embarked on six years ago.

 

The government launched a Look East policy in a bid to boost arrivals from Asian countries as traditional markets were registering a decline in tourists visiting the country.  

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2006)