ZOU Commemorates World Tourism Day 2022

The Zimbabwe Open University’s (ZOU) Faculty of Commerce, through its Department of Hospitality and Tourism, held a virtual commemoration of World Tourism Day on 4 October 2022. Running under the theme ‘Rethinking Tourism.’  The 2022 theme was befitting as it sought to enable the various tourism stakeholders to review the growth of tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the occasion Dean, Faculty of Commerce, Professor Tavonga Njaya impressed upon the audience that the theme for 2022 was apt as it reflected a shift towards tourism which is being recognised as a crucial pillar for development. This was augmented by the United Nations General Assembly which, for the first time held a special debate on tourism in May 2022 thus tourism was now on the agenda of governments and of international organisations in every global region.

“The purpose behind the theme is to motivate individuals to take part in the redevelopment of tourism, which is much needed after the industry suffered a stagnant pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.” He said

ZOU’s Faculty of Commerce used the event to enhance its efforts towards seeking accreditation for their BSc Honours in Hospitality and Tourism and generally to herald the Faculty and University’s imminent entry into the Hospitality and Tourism sector.

Three seasoned presenters who were drawn from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, (ZTA), Chinhoyi University of Technology, (CUT) and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) were invited to present papers. Mr Jeffreys Manjengwa stood in for Ms Winnie Muchanyuka, ZTA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Molline Mwando, Chairperson, Department of Hospitality and Tourism at CUT co-presented with Dr Forbes Kabote, Hospitality and Tourism lecturer and Domestic Tourism expert at CUT and Professor Edson Gandiwa, Director, Scientific Services, Zimparks presented last before Dr Philimon Chitagu, Executive Director, Schweppes, Zimbabwe came in to moderate the presentations. A strong audience of sixty graced the event which started at 1000hrs and ended at 1300hrs.

The presentations were quite scintillating and captivating. World Tourism Day 2022 commemoration was a resounding success. Meanwhile, Dean Faculty of Commerce, Professor T.  Njaya and Dr Phillip Farayi Kanokanga of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism are contemplating coming up with other seminars which are similar to the World Tourism Day commemoration in the near future.