https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/225 2026-05-17T04:42:55Z 2026-05-17T04:42:55Z Mukarati, Brendon https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7043 2026-05-08T12:54:22Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Accessibility of Zimbabwe tourism destinations: The role of the aviation sector Authors: Mukarati, Brendon Abstract: There are growing fears that Zimbabwe and the various stakeholders in its tourism and aviation sectors are missing out on the potential benefits that may be derived from a more defined participation of the aviation sector towards improving destination accessibility in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this research sought to establish the current role which the aviation sector holds in improving the accessibility of Zimbabwean tourism destinations when compared to other countries mostly by focusing on the extent to which the aviation sector has committed itself towards fostering the accessibility through strategy formulations, partnerships with tourism establishments as well as regulatory frameworks. The study thus identified the benefits that accessibility to a destination which has improved and refined it. The researcher selected 2 government ministries and 7 organisations in the tourism and aviation sectors as the research units that are concerned with destination accessibility and air travel. These were the Ministry of Environment Climate Tourism and Hospitality industry, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe, Emirates Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airlink and Halstead’s Aviation company. In this study the researcher utilised the descriptive research design to collect, analyse and present data in an effort to give a seamless view of the role played by the aviation sector in improving destination accessibility in Zimbabwe and the difficulties which it encounters in performing this role. Open-ended questionnaires and direct interviews were employed to collect primary data so as to determine opinions, attitudes, preferences and expectations of the targeted respondents. Qualitative and quantitative data were both collected and analysed by the researcher. Convenience sampling was mostly used in the research whereby respondents were selected based on their availability as the research was conducted in the midst of the Covid19 pandemic were most respondents were not available for fear of contracting or transmitting the lethal virus. The research uncovered that there is a lack of proper coordination between tourism and aviation authorities, an inadequacy of operational airports near tourism destination in all provinces, over concentration of development efforts on a few airports namely Harare R.G Mugabe, Bulawayo J.M Nkomo and Victoria Falls International airports, failure by the CAAZ to create policies and financial bailout programmes to protect local airlines from unfair external competition as well as to save them from avoidable bankruptcy and lastly limited financial resources on part of the Ministries in charge of the tourism and aviation sectors and also airlines were caught guilty of lacking proper organisational strategies aimed at improving accessibility in Zimbabwe as they were more focused towards their own individual goals such as profit making and growth. On the other hand, achievements included increased government investments in the aviation sector through infrastructure capacity building programmes like the expansion of Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls international airports, the reopening of the Gweru airport, opening up of the airspace indicated by the increasing number of airlines which either reintroduced or introduced flights into Zimbabwe such as Kenya and Ethiopian Airways introducing scheduled direct flight to Victoria Falls from their hubs and Qatar Airways connecting Doha, Lusaka and Harare by air. The organisations were recommended to coordinate their policy and strategy formulation. The government was recommended to reopen local regional airports to ease accessibility to remote and non-mainstream attractions. The researcher recommends future researches to be aimed at investigating data instruments which show the actual volumes of inbound tourists that come in by air only and their benefits to government as well tourism and aviation regulators.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Mukarati, Brendon Munyati, Tinotendaishe .L. https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7041 2026-05-08T10:10:16Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Stakeholders’ perceptions of the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Authors: Munyati, Tinotendaishe .L. Abstract: This study analyzed stakeholders’ perceptions of the expansion of Robert Mugabe International Airport. Airport expansion is recommended by aviation protocols IATA and ICAO and it is highly practised in the first world countries who have funding to grow their economies. The study was chosen because there are literature gaps on expansion of airports in Zimbabwe. First world countries airport expansion projects have been very successful and they have benefited their countries economically, socially and environmentally because of measures put in place to protect the environment. The main aim of the study was to examine stakeholders’ perceptions of the expansion of RGM International Airport to the perceived benefits as a result of the expansion. The targeted population was officials from Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Hotel and Lodges, and National handling services. They played a pivotal role in providing with relevant information for the study. The study adopted a qualitative approach in gathering both primary and secondary data. Primary data was inform of telephone interviews and questionnaires were used in this research as well as secondary data which comprise of reports, newspapers and internet. The study established that the expansion of Robert Mugabe International Airport had both negative and positive impacts to stakeholders’ in the tourism and hospitality sector. The Harare community also benefited from the expansion of the airport through employment creation and development of infrastructure. The study identified business strategies implemented by stakeholders’ as a result of the expansion of RGM International Airport as well as challenges brought by the expansion. The study also recommends that hotels and lodges must develop their infrastructure so as to carter for increasing in volume of tourist. The study also recommends further studies on the challenges faced by tourism stakeholders’ as a result of the expansion of airports in Zimbabwe. A study similar to this research can also be done to incorporate all stakeholders’ in Zimbabwe.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Munyati, Tinotendaishe .L. Zhou, Zibanai Chibaya, Tendai https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6878 2025-10-28T10:58:54Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Analysis of the resilience, impact and adaptation strategies of Kariba Invitational Tiger Fish Tournament in a distressed destination context Authors: Zhou, Zibanai; Chibaya, Tendai Abstract: Sporting event tourism has been embraced by tourist destinations to stimulate socioeconomic development at local level. Despite growing concerns about resilience of sporting event tourism as a strategy for socioeconomic development for sporting activities dependent on resources facing multiple stressors, there remains limited studies focusing on the resilience of localised sporting event tourism in small towns in Zimbabwe. This study examines the resilience, impacts and adaptation strategies of Kariba Invitational Tiger Fish Tournament (KITFT) in a distressed environment, in a developing country context. A qualitative approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 key informants purposively selected from event tourism stakeholders. Thematically analysed findings confirmed the resilience of the tournament against the disrupted angler market base, bad publicity, COVID-19 pandemic and a generally unstable political and economic environment. Furthermore, the study revealed that the negative impacts of climate change on Lake Kariba’s water level, and depleted fish stock are significant threats to the resilience of the tournament. Overall, the KITFT provides employment to residents and accommodation, food and beverage service providers benefit through increased capacity utilisation. However, artificial inflation, surge in crime and pollution are issues of community-wide concern emanating from the event. The study gives sporting events tourism planners, and resource conservation entities insights to adopt resilient enhancement strategies and implement early resilient mechanisms to safeguard the event and livelihoods from multiple stressors. The study’s originality lies in its application of the dynamic resilience lens to a recreational sporting event tourism in a distressed tourist resort destination.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Zhou, Zibanai Chibaya, Tendai Zibanai Zhou Tendayi Makwara https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6413 2024-12-11T12:44:49Z 2024-08-12T00:00:00Z

Title: Challenges facing community-based tourism resuscitation at Dzimbabwe cultural tourism centre, Zimbabwe: grass-root perspectives Authors: Zibanai Zhou; Tendayi Makwara Abstract: Community based tourism has huge potential to transform communities in spaces with limited socioeconomic opportunities mainly in developing countries. With proper management steeped in inclusive approaches, community based tourism can be a strategy to diversify communities’ sources of livelihoods and sustenance. However, this form of tourism continues to face multiple challenges. Grounded in a grass root perspective, the study examines the challenges of resuscitating community based tourism at Dzimbabwe cultural tourism centre in Zimbabwe. The study is based on 30 interview surveys conducted with Dzimbabwe cultural tourism centre stakeholders selected through purposive sampling procedures, and augmented with on-site observations. Thematically analysed findings revealed that the resuscitation of Dzimbabwe cultural tourism is harm strung by many challenges most notably internecine conflict over use of resources, unviable and shrinking market, and weak accountability and governance systems. The study recommended redesigning of the conflict resolution mechanism, leveraging on the domestic tourism market, and reconstituting the composition of the cultural centre’s management committee members, coupled with continuous training to resolve the challenges.

2024-08-12T00:00:00Z Zibanai Zhou Tendayi Makwara