Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) final year Peace and Governance student, Tadiwanashe Marengo beat 10 other youths from Mashonaland Central province to book a place for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s 2023 Innovation Challenge final.
For his exploits, he walked away with US$1000 in a competition that called for youths to come up with innovations that could improve the tourism sector in general. A combined $1 800 dollars was at stake in the challenge with the first runner-up getting USD500 while the second runner-up got US300.
The challenge seeks to provide a platform for individuals under the age of 30 to contribute to the tourism industry by presenting innovative ideas and projects aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the tourism sector in line with the destination’s vision of being a must-visit and leader in sustainable tourism in Africa by 2030.
The Tourism Innovation Challenge 2023 was running under the theme “Harnessing Innovation for Sustainability”, which is centred on sustainable tourism. About 148 projects were submitted countrywide with most projects centering on the preservation of natural and cultural heritage, attraction of sustainable tourists, bringing economic benefits to local communities, and effectively managing the destination.
The Government introduced the Heritage based Education 5.0 to turn higher and tertiary education institutions in Zimbabwe into engines that churn out graduates with innovative solutions to the socio-economic challenges that we face as a nation.
