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This paper aims to respond to a knowledge gap on an important macro- economic question that has ignited inconclusive debates among investors and policy makers on whether or not tourism can lead to economic development in transitioning economies. The common narrative that tourism is a magic bullet for economic transformation consistently cited by tourism pundits is typically based on speculative and generalised country specific contextual variables. This research paper aims to examine the commonly discussed socio-economic benefits of tourism to provide a richer comprehension of these benefits in the various tourist destination contexts. The study adopted a descriptive-qualitative method through desk research and in-depth interviews with government, local residents, 200 registered local tourism operators and industry expert opinion leaders to probe the economic system-wide impact of tourism in Zimbabwe. Quotations from participants were used to highlight core themes relevant to critical theories of tourism and economic growth. The research results show that the tourism sector contributes over $500 million into the national economy; supports in excess of 200 000 employees directly; favours massive infrastructural developments; supports conservation of resources, and spruces the image of the country. By examining the economic system- wide impacts spawned by the tourism phenomenon, this paper expands the conversation about tourism and economic growth of which very little has been documented in transitioning economies. Hence, this study, which focuses on Zimbabwe aims to fill this knowledge gap. It is envisaged that the implementation of strategies proffered herein will cause a seismic shift in Zimbabwe`s tourism landscape and economic fortunes.

This study analyses the state of the informal curio sector in Victoria Falls in the obtaining multicurrency trading dispensation. The study sought to address a lacuna in the curio trading literature in the context of Zimbabwe`s re-calibrated economic environment. The study envisaged to broaden the private and government`s comprehension of curio trading and resultantly help policy shifts and the public narrative of curio business as a significant entrepreneurial activity in need of support. In-depth interviews and focus group discussion of 200 participants were used to gather the data. A thematic approach was used for data analysis. Results revealed that the curio business in Victoria Falls is at its lowest ebb due to a dwindling clientele base, and pittance curio prices amongst a host of other attendant factors. Findings further established that incessant harassment from municipal police coupled with an opaque allocation system of market stalls that are far flung from tourist hotspots riled traders. A dormant local market, poor signage of curio stalls and exorbitant monthly rentals levied by council were bemoaned as Achilles Heels of the informal curio business. The study recommends curio traders to form trade associations and social co-operatives to bolster their bargaining powers and access cheap financial resources. To ameliorate the rampant entrepreneurial skill deficiency amongst the rank and file of curio traders, they should enrol for night and weekend schools to upgrade their skills. The study lacks external validity hence it is necessary to replicate it at national level using a different methodological approach.

This study is a post 2010 evaluation of Zimbabwe as a preferred tourism destination. The post 2010 timeline was deliberately chosen since it was believed to be a water-shed period or game changer in Zimbabwe`s tourism landscape following the successful hosting of the Fifa 2010 world cup by South Africa which is Zimbabwe`s major economic trading partner. The hosting of the prestigious soccer extravaganza by South Africa was speculated to reconfigure the architecture of Zimbabwe`s tourism sector that had been in a comatose for close to a decade. The study established that the post 2010 period is a landmark as it marked the somewhat thawing of political and economic relations between Zimbabwe and western countries following the consummation of the inclusive government that stabilised the economy. The tourism sector was speculated to have been given a new lease of life riding on the perceived spin-offs from South Africa, warming of the international community to Zimbabwe, and the dollarization of the economy. A dozen variables were used as anchor elements against which Zimbabwe was evaluated. A questionnaire survey was used on 80 hotels, 60 tour operators, 20 key informants, and 50 international tourists at Great Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls. Results confirm that Zimbabwe indeed has raised the bar higher as a preferred tourist destination relative to other southern Africa countries as attested to by playing host to the UNWTO`s General Assembly and ATA congress, and also being the recipient of the tourism award from the European Tourism Council. On the flip-side, visa and pricing regimes are still frowned upon; however, there is huge potential for the country to do better.

This study is a surgical examination of the Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) concept in the frame of Southern Africa using the poverty alleviation construct as the analytical lens. The paper aimed at creating a new narrative, deepening the comprehension of TFCA, and integrating its ecological goals with poverty alleviation. The research touched base with community residents through indepth interviews to get first-hand experience encounters with reality on the ground. Peace parks have dismally failed to tackle poverty within communities as evidenced by loss of fertile agricultural land, outlawing access to natural resources, destruction of agricultural crops, livestock decimation due to diseases from wild animals, and elusive job prospects. Anecdotal evidence point to local communities' anathema to parks and dismissed the poverty alleviation benefits as an illusion given the huge social capital loss accentuated by involuntary relocation and spike on human-wildlife conflict. Local communities were miffed by prioritisation of ecological needs at the expense of their socio-economic needs; hence logically dismiss peace parks as public relations stunts. Bottom-up approaches are recommended to address poverty issues, coupled with a root and branch shake up of administrative structures in communities and parks hierarchy for fair representation of all the segments of community population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staging a mega sport event such as the world cup has been traditionally viewed as a golden opportunity for urban regeneration and economic development. Research into the preparedness of hospitality service providers to host millions of visitors associated with world cup sport events is limited. This paper discusses the state of preparedness for Zimbabwean hotels in anticipation of the world cup sport event hosted by South Africa. The study used a purposive sampling of twenty local hotel players in the category of 3-5 stars. Data were collected through self-administered eighteen questionnaires. Findings show that the majority of hotels have increased accommodation capacity ahead of the event. However, findings also demonstrated differences in the level of preparedness for local hotels with hotels in the northern region in the back foot than their southern counterparts. All operators were equally concerned about an ineffective air transport system. Service providers showed lack of confidence that they will benefit from the world cup event due to the poor national payment system and excessive hotel rates. These findings contradict planned refurbishments and human resource training that are currently underway. The study recommends urgent destination endorsement, re-introduction of credit cards, and consensus on the appropriate pricing strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]