A heritage site that cannot be geotagged, searched or posted online is a site many travellers may never hear about.
This was the underlying message behind NetOne’s recognition as a Tourism Supplier at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Masvingo, where 21 categories were contested.
The importance of telecommunications to tourism was evident among the exhibitors and delegations attending the event. Organisations including the Embassy of Indonesia, Zambia Tourism Agency, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency and representatives from Malawi depended on reliable roaming connectivity from the moment visitors cleared immigration.
The same dependence extends across medical tourism, gastronomy, car hire and sports tourism, with organisations such as the National AIDS Council, Impala Car Rental and Tongaat Hulett relying on connectivity for emergency communication, reservations, fleet tracking, payments and event coordination.
Even tourism publicity organisations in Harare and Masvingo increasingly depend on digital platforms to promote destinations and businesses.
NetOne said its network effectively carried the traffic generated by the entire tourism ecosystem — from WhatsApp conversations and contacts exchanged between potential partners to photographs uploaded by visitors, international calls and mobile money transactions.
“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to serving as a key facilitator of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector,” the operator said, adding that it provides infrastructure supporting visitors, tourism operators and industry growth.
Beyond the expo, connectivity plays an important role in Zimbabwe’s destination marketing. With limited tourism marketing budgets compared with competing destinations, millions of Zimbabweans carrying smartphones effectively become content creators promoting the country to global audiences.
Images of Lake Mutirikwi, Gonarezhou, Great Zimbabwe, local cuisine and other attractions can reach potential visitors around the world within seconds.
Affordable connectivity also supports domestic tourism, allowing Zimbabweans to discover destinations online and make bookings with a few taps.
The award was received on behalf of NetOne by Regional Manager F. Matope and Shop Supervisor F. Dzviti, supported by Regional Administrator L. Chambati.
The recognition was, in effect, an acknowledgement of the digital infrastructure helping hold Zimbabwe’s tourism industry together.
