Ms Winnie Muchanyuka unveiled as ZTA Chief Executive.

Zimbabwe’s tourism expert — Winnie Muchanyuka — has been appointed as the substantive Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s new Chief Executive.

Muchanyuka replaces Dr Karikoga Kaseke who was retired last year due to ill-health. Muchanyuka takes over from Mr Givemore Chidzidzi who has been steering the ship in an acting capacity at ZTA. Announcing the appointment, ZTA board chairman Mr Raynold Mawerera commended Mr Chidzidzi for holding forte in the past months.

Mawerera, appreciated Chidzidzi under whose leadership and guidance helped drive ZTA on a positive trajectory inspite of the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the tourism sector hard.

He mentioned the successful launch of the ZimBho domestic tourism campaign and the Meet In Zim initiative, a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) campaign as some of Mr Chidzidzi’s career highlights.

Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Ndhlovu hailed the appointment of Ms Winnie as she is affectionately known in the tourism sector, as a step in the right direction.

“The appointment of Winnie Muchanyuka to the ZTA as CE is apt in that she is not a stranger to the tourism 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 and there is a need to maintain that trajectory.

“Tourism inflows increased by 10 percent to register US$214 million this quarter. As we are opening up the sector, the tourism industry should grow bigger and bigger. ZTA is the critical bridge between the private sector and 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 of the country, the key voice of our country. The ZTA and the tourism sector should forge close ties with the media. Next week on Wednesday I will announce the new members of the ZTA Board. To the ZTA CE and entire management, I urge your dedication towards growing the industry and to embrace success as we march towards the 2025 target of a US$5 billion tourism economy,” Hon Ndhlovu said.

Muchanyuka accepted the appointment with joy adding that she was happy to ride on the success of her predecessors.

“The ZTA Team has done exceptionally well and continues to do tremendous work towards growing the tourism industry. I pledge my support to the mandate given to me by the Principal, Honourable Mangaliso Ndhlovu, the tourism minister and the US$5 billion tourism target he alluded to is not changing,” she said.

“In fact, we can surpass it. Zimbabwe needs to achieve a middle-income economy by 2030 and 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,” Muchanyuka said.

Hon Barbra Rwodzi, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry congratulated the new ZTA CE and alluded to the full stakeholder representation at the announcement of her appointment as a clear sign of endorsement of her new role.

She encouraged stakeholders to open doors for ZTA through collaboration, and partnerships while working closely with the media as well. This, she said, should be done in the spirit of the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra through tourism.

Muchanyuka brings a wealth of experience to the ZTA. She is the immidiate past President of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe. She has vast experience in the aviation industry with stints at Air Zimbabwe and Swiss Air. She also worked as the Country Manager for South African Airways.