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Tourism Rallies in Zimbabwe Despite Hiccups in National Unity Government


Figures released at an investment conference in South Africa this week showed tourism receipts of some US$100 million to date in 2009 compared with just US$40 million in 2005 in the midst of the country's long political crisis

Zimbabwean tourism receipts have rebounded this year with some 362,000 tourists visiting the country since the launch of the unity government compared with 100,000 last year.

Figures released at an investment conference in South Africa this week showed tourism receipts of some US$100 million to date in 2009 compared with just US$40 million in 2005 in the midst of the country's long political crisis, down from US$250 million a decade ago.

Zimbabwe Council of Tourism President Emmanuel Fundira attributed the bounce in revenues to the country’s relative stability since a power-sharing government launched in February.

African Sun Chief Executive Shingi Munyenza told the conference that Zimbabwe hotels have been running at 70% of capacity lately.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Karikoga Kaseke told VOA Studio 7 reporter Sandra Nyaira that the lifting of travel warnings by the United States and European Union member countries among others helped revive tourism and resulting income.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...

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