Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE transformation of the Beitbridge Border Post at a cost of US$300 million has set the pace for the growth of tourism in the country, with regional and international travellers appreciating the enhanced efficiency at the country’s busiest port of entry, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Barbara Rwodzi, said yesterday
She noted that the automation of services and permanent separation of traffic has become a game changer as the Government pushes its ease of doing business thrust.
The Minister is carrying out a three-day working visit to the border post, which is now a hive of activity with travellers entering and leaving the country ahead of the Christmas Day and New Year’s holidays.
The initiative is aimed at welcoming returning residents and international visitors during the festive season.
She said under the current setup, where traffic has been permanently separated into commercial, buses, light vehicles and pedestrians’ terminals, travellers were now spending less time compared to previous years when they would spend days at the port of entry.
“An efficient border is critical in facilitating growth of tourism within the country,” said Minister Rwodzi. “We are here in Beitbridge Border Post which is now busy as the festive traffic is peaking. I want to thank our President (Mnangagwa) for the support to Government agencies here that is coming through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion and that of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage among other ministries. Most services are now automated and the new online border management system and electronic gates (eGates) at the immigration section have turned a new leaf on service delivery.”
She said travellers are now spending less than 20 minutes walking through the border post provided they have the requisite documents.
Previously, people would spend anything from three hours to 36 hours at the border before its transformation in 2021.
The Minister appreciated the teamwork and coordination among border agencies, which made the addressing of operational challenges possible on the spot.
“We are happy about the support the Government is giving to border agencies here. As tourism, this is good for us and we value the Zimbabwean diaspora community which is travelling now for the festive season,” said Minister Rwodzi. “
The Minister also had an opportunity to interact with travellers and get feedback on service delivery at the border. She also handed out drinking water, tourism brochures, t-shirts, the national fabric, among other things.
The post New-look border a hit with tourists appeared first on herald.
The post New-look border a hit with tourists appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.