(Posted 09th June 2022)
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has announced the appointment of Ms. Winnie Muchanyuka as their new Chief Executive.
This follows the retirement, due to ill health, of former long serving CEO Dr. Karikoga Kaseke.
Ms. Muchanyuka is taking over from the Acting CEO Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi who has been steering the ship in an acting capacity at ZTA after Dr. Karikoga had to step down.
ZTA Board Chairman Mr. Raynold Mawerera commended Mr. Chidzidzi for holding fort and expressed appreciation for his leadership and guidance that helped drive ZTA on a positive trajectory despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the tourism sector very hard. He mentioned the successful launch of the ZimBho Domestic Tourism campaign and the Meet In Zim initiative – a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) campaign as some of Mr Chidzidzi’s career highlights.
Zimbabwe’s Minister for Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon. Ndlovu said about the new appointment:
‘The appointment of Winnie Muchanyuka to the ZTA as CEO is apt in that she is not a stranger in the industry. The industry awaited such an appointment with comfort. There are high hopes for tourism amid clear signs of recovery in the sector. Statistically, the first quarter of 2022 has been quite promising & there is need to maintain that trajectory. Tourism inflows increased by 10% to register US$214 million this quarter. As we are opening up the sector, the tourism industry should grow bigger & bigger. ZTA is the critical bridge between the private sector & policymaking. Despite the fact that tourism struggled under COVID-19, there is hope for it to grow bigger. The US$5 billion tourism sector target is achievable if we work together collectively. We seek to review the targets only upwards. Tourism is the face & a key voice of the country.’
Mis. Winnie Muchanyuka responded in saying: ‘The ZTA Team has done exceptionally well & continues to do tremendous work towards growing the tourism industry. I pledge my support to the mandate given to me by my Minister Hon. Ndlovu and the US$5 billion tourism target he alluded to is not changing, in fact, we can surpass it. Zimbabwe needs to achieve a middle-income economy by 2030 & tourism plays a key role in achieving that goal. I am also looking forward to a close partnership with the media in telling the good story of this country. I am excited to be starting on this journey.”
Ms. Winnie Muchanyuka brings a wealth of private sector experience to the ZTA. She is the immediate Past President of the @tourism_council. She has vast experience in the aviation industry where she served as Country Director for South African Airways & had stints at @FlyAirZimbabwe and Swiss Air.
www.ATCNews.org, a media partner of ZTA for many years, extends best wishes to Ms. Winnie and also takes the opportunity to thank Mr. Givemore Chidzidzi for the cooperation extended to ATCNews over the past years.
