eBusiness Weekly
Michael Tome
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) aims to surpass earnings made from the previous editions of Harare International Carnival as the country seeks to widen is revenue base.
The country realized $30 million on the last year’s edition of the Harare International Carnival and the ZTA wants the yearly event to grow and if possible earn the country hundreds of millions in revenue.
Addressing the media and stakeholders at a meeting yesterday, ZTA chief executive officer Karikoga Kaseke emphasized on the importance of the carnival to the tourism industry and the country’s revenue streams at large.
“Last year we impacted to no less than $30 million on the economy, $30 million is not a lot of money we are hoping to have more from now and years to come, if we are serious about carnival we will earn hundreds of millions, what I am saying is that “carnival” has a huge impact on this country’s economy,” said Dr Kaseke.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority CEO sentiments are inspired by carnivals in countries like Brazil that has previously earned $3, 5 billion for their economy.
“We yearn to reach the levels of Brazil where their carnival has earned $3, 5 billion in revenue for the country not Brazilian money but US dollars,” he added.
Private sector and the government last year sponsored the event to the tune of $1, 1 million and $400 000 respectively to make a total of $1, 5 million , as the event has proved to be a key revenue earner for the country if fully supported.
Seventeen countries have already confirmed coming to this year’s edition while expectations are that the number will rise to more than thirty.
Cuba, Brazil, United States of America (USA), India, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago and SADC countries are some of the notable countries that will grace this year’s event.
