Zimbabwe plans to host 2,000 visitors next year on familiarization tours to promote tourism and correct the misconception most Europeans have about the country, the state media New Ziana reported on Tuesday.

 

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Karikoga Kaseke said only 1,013 people against a targeted 1,500 had this year toured the country under the authority's Perception Management Program.

 

He said of the 70 groups hosted, 26 were from the media while 44 were tour operators.

 

"When we planned these familiarization tours," he said, "our objective was to bring no less than 100 groups from all our major source markets, mainly from the traditional markets where the perception on Zimbabwe is mostly negative." He said the delegates would continue to include opinion leaders such as travel writers, tour operators, celebrities and other important people who would help market the country, especially now that Zimbabwe is regaining confidence among its traditional markets.

 

He said despite the recovery signs, the country would not tire in its goal to aggressively marketing its attractive tourist resorts and reviving the sector.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2006)