PAUL MATAMISA APPOINTED TO THE SADC TOURISM STEERING ALLIANCE

By Martin Chemhere

Paul Matamisa, the Zimbabwean tourism industry guru, and the esteemed Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe, has been appointed to the six-member committee of the SADC Tourism Steering Alliance. This prestigious role is a testament to his unwavering dedication and vast knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry, and it has been met with widespread acclaim from key stakeholders within Zimbabwe.

The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, and the Mosi oa Tunya Development Company extended their heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Matamisa. In their joint statement, they highlighted that his appointment is expected to be invaluable in promoting sustainable tourism in the Southern Africa region. His leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of collaborative efforts that enhance tourism initiatives and foster economic growth, a key mandate of the newly formed Alliance.

The SADC Tourism Alliance is a non-profit, membership-based association dedicated to promoting responsible and sustainable travel and tourism across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Administered by the NEPAD Business Foundation, the Alliance brings together apex private sector bodies and a wide range of tourism stakeholders to drive enhanced value, quality, and sustainable growth. The Alliance’s initiatives are notably supported by the Joint Action NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme, co-funded by the European Union and the German Government, and implemented by GIZ.

With a clear and inspiring vision, the SADC Tourism Alliance aims to empower Southern Africa to become a leading tourism destination that enriches diverse communities and bolsters local prosperity through transformative, safe, and sustainable experiences. Its mission is to unite the region’s tourism stakeholders for sustainable tourism promotion and protection, which includes lobbying for supportive policies, stimulating investments, encouraging knowledge sharing, and boosting regional marketing. These efforts are all aimed at aiding economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation—goals that resonate with Mr. Matamisa’s decades of experience in the Zimbabwean tourism sector.

Matamisa joins a distinguished committee comprised of leaders from across the region, including Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa (Interim Chairperson, South Africa), Kenneth Kapitako (Interim co-Vice Chair, Namibia), Natalia Rosa, (Tourism Project Lead, South Africa), Memory Momba Kamthunzi (Malawi), and Mohammed Abdullah (Mozambique). His role as an Interim co-Vice Chair places him at the heart of the decision-making process, where he will inspire public and private sector stakeholders to align and drive the catalytic activities needed for the responsible development of travel and tourism throughout the SADC region.

From Destination 19