Interview with Winnie Muchanyuka: Substantive Chief Executive Officer of ZTA

1. Most people know you as a tourism guru. Away from all of that, who is Winnie Muchanyuka? I am a first I am a first born and deputy parent to my siblings. I am a mother of 2 gorgeous rugby players, I am very much a part of my church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church and I participate actively in Women’s Ministries and various committees that advance the administration of the church.
   
2. What made you decide on a career in tourism and hospitality management? In the beginning it was
   a little by accident, the first job I could find was at Air Zimbabwe. But my desire to meet and serve different people and cultures and my inherent love for travelling confirmed that tourism was my happy space and aviation gave me the spring board I need to venture into tourism.
   
3. You were recently appointed as the substantive CEO of Zimbabwe Tourism Authority which is perhaps the biggest post in the industry. Did you see it coming? Where were you when you got the call from ZTA? I can’t really say I saw this one coming but that I had always aspired to climb the ladder in my chosen sector. When the position was advertised a mentor really pushed that I apply and see how far I would progress. I was sitting on a flight about to depart and was asked to meet the chairperson and vice chairperson of the board.
   
4. How did you feel when you were asked to take on this big role? Initially it was overwhelming as I was quite aware of the credentials of the other candidates that had been part of the interview process. But as it sank in I felt very honored and blessed at the opportunity to serve
5. What do you think is the biggest reason for your success? I don’t think that I can pin point anything in particular but I can say that I gave of my best in the interviews and I was honest in my engagements, I didn’t try to be anything that I am not or profile myself better than I actually am.
6. You have been in the tourism space for around twenty years. What excites you the most about this industry? Meeting people from all over the world and being able to serve them and meet their need for tourism be it business or pleasure. Its also fulfilling to now be able to influence the tourism product that is destination Zimbabwe and to play a part in making sure its one of the most sought after places in the world to visit and invest.
7. How do you stay motivated? My faith in God and the promises He has made to me, I think that my greatest motivation. I am also cognizant of the fact that I represent my family and community and that there are a number that looks up to me so I can’t give up or be slackened as I would dash their hopes.
8. The tourism industry was hit the hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic and is yet to recover the revenue lost. What does this mean for you and the work you have to do considering you have been given a target of setting up a 5-billion-dollar tourism economy by 2025? Tourism was amongst the severely affected industries in the world and Zimbabwe was certainly no exception. Recovery to pre-Covid levels will take time but it has created an opportunity for us to capacitate and reinvent our businesses. This includes refurbishments, service upgrades and retraining of staff and getting the overall product to live up to the standards expected and more. Investment in upgrades or new tourism infrastructure is also critical as we recover and grow the industry. Lessons learnt from Covid have also directed us to pay more attention to domestic tourism and ensuring that our citizens take their holidays at home. This will in turn buoy our industry on domestic consumption such that the industry will weather any storm that is on a global scale. A combination of these will propel us closer to our 5billion tourism economy.
9. What are some of the goals you have set for yourself to make your tenure a success? Critical is that we realign and build a ZTA that’s fit for purpose and is able to serve both industry, consumers and its stakeholders. Registration and standards of tourism facilities is also critical in building a destination that is globally competitive. And of course I would be happy to see some new tourism infrastructure development especially in the form of a convention center.
10. What are some of the most important lessons you learnt from your previous roles that you have brought with you to ZTA? That nothing replaces hard work and resilience. Challenges should give us the drive to overcome. As executives our leadership and creative skills are tested when we face adversity and these are times in which we should stand and provide hope for our organizations.
11. What would you say are the greatest challenges facing the tourism industry at the moment? The biggest challenge is probably that of access to funding for upgrade of facilities and working capital coming out of the Covid era. Coupled with that international travel has been a bit slow to start as people recover from the pandemic and having had limited resources or no work during Covid.
12. What would you want to say to a young person out there who wants to follow in your footsteps? Chase your dreams and do not be afraid or be intimidated by what surrounds you. What’s the worst that can happens, you would be right where you are so there is nothing to lose.

From DESTINATION ZW EDITION 1