From war to tourism: This country dreams of its future

Historically, Zimbabwe’s name was synonymous with economic collapse, hyper-inflation and a devastating loss of international status. However, the state has now begun to rebuild, with the aim of leverage its rich wonders and cultural heritage to cultivate a prosperous tourism industry. As of 2020, the Zimbabwe government has set up ambitious destinations, hoping to earn $ 5 billion in annual tourist revenue until 2025, as part of its plan to diversify the economy and raise national GDP.This ambition is supported by the vast tourism potential of the country, with world -famous attractions such as Victoria Falls, the Wang National Park and the ruins of Zimbabwe. Still, Zimbabwe’s journey to restore herself as a central tourist center is not easy. The road is designed by decades of political struggle, economic failure, and the side effects of the colonial and post-colonial wars of the state. To understand where Zimbabwe is today, one must first understand how she came here – how she evolved from the prosperous colony of South Rhodesia to a cleft nation – and how she is now striving to get up.

Independence Price: Mero thanry to Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s story starts long before announcing its independence in 1980. The British colony, which enjoyed significant economic prosperity, was established in 1890 by Cecil Rhodes and British South Africa that belonged to it. It was rich in natural resources, including fertile agricultural land and valuable minerals such as gold and chrome.

While the white minority ruled almost all land, wealth and political power, the black population-about 90 percent of the population-was limited to poor and overcrowded reserves. Ruling separation laws, such as the 1930 land distribution law, promised that land and opportunities will be disproportionate to whites, which have thrived in urban centers such as in the capital of Salisbury (now the Rara). In the meantime, the black majority has been pushed to low -wage jobs, agriculture and mining work, which has led to an extensive economic and social inequality.

As African Independence Movements gained momentum throughout the continent, nationalist groups in southern Rhodesia began to demand a majority and self -determination. However, the government headed by Prime Minister Ian Smith was unwilling to give up government. Despite increasing readiness for political change, the government has declared unilateral independence (UDI) in 1965, and in fact severed ties with Britain and maintained the white minority rule. This is how she prepared the ground for a brutal and prolonged conflict: the Rhodesian complicated war, which will take place for 15 years.

In this war, Rhodesia’s white government fought against the nationalist movements of the African National Union of Zanu (Zanu) and the African Union of Zapu (Zapu), who sought to end the white rule and establish a majority rule. The hand of the white, trained and equipped Rhodes forces was on top for many years. But the sloping groups, though smaller and less equipped, fought stubbornly, with the support of neighboring countries like Mozambique and Zambia.

The conflict resulted in a long and brutal struggle, when the Rhodesian government used more and more desperate means to maintain its control. On the international level, it faced economic sanctions, while support from countries such as South Africa and Portugal held it and gave it a backup. The rebel parties were also not innocent of violent and horrific methods, when in a large number of cases, civilians were executed, sometimes in groups, who were suspected or considered collaborators with the White Government – even if they simply came to work and did not join the fighting.

The Lancaster House Agreement signed in 1979 was the turning point that came when the British government, led by Margaret Thatcher, was in charge of negotiating peace. After several failed calls as a survivor on the verge of collapse, a Lancaster house agreement was signed that the state would move to the majority of the majority, thereby ending the white minority signs of Ian Smith. So was the basis for democratic elections. The war took a heavy price from the residents of the state, its infrastructure and its economy, with a total of about 20,000. Until the war ended and the state was re-arranged as the 1980 independent Zimbabwe, led by elected Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, the economy was completely shattered, and the state remained to collect the fragments.

From crisis prosperity: the economic fall

The post -Independence Zimbabwe’s journey is a complex story marked with amazing achievements, but also in deep economic failures. When she was known as Rhodesia, the state had one of the advanced and prosperous economies in Africa. Its agricultural sector stood out and it produced huge amounts of tobacco, corn and cotton, and the country was considered one of the world’s leading tobacco exporters.

However, the Rhodesian total war and the transition to the majority of the majority put instability, and the economy that once thrilled began to disintegrate. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Zimbabwe’s political landscape was increasingly defined by Robert Mugabe, the African National National Union leader of Zanu-PF, which granted power as the first prime minister of the state in 1980. However, his policy soon deviated towards failed economic management, corruption and authoritarian rule.

 

 

 

One of the most devastating decisions was made in 2000, when Mugabe’s government initiated the rapid ground reform plan, and distributed white agricultural land to the black Zimba. The plan, which was intended to address the historical injustices of land ownership, was carried out with violence and without planning, causing massive collapse in agricultural output. The nation dived for a period of severe food shortage and economic drop.

The situation worsened as hyper-inflation exploded, with inflation rates leapt into billions, making Zimbabwe’s dollar actually worthless. In 2008, the country experienced the highest inflation rate ever recorded in any country in the world with $ 100 billion in a summit per one US dollars. Prices were doubled in minutes and high inflation caused savings, severely hit the economy and left citizens in a tremendous struggle when real -rate inflation terms were so high that people carried money just to buy basic products such as food, fuel and drugs that became rare. The residents of Zimbabwe began to escape the state in search of better opportunities, and finally the state had to abandon its currency in 2009 and began using foreign currencies like US dollars and Rand South African.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sanctions imposed by the Western countries in response to Mugaba’s land policy and human rights violations further lonely Zimbabwe from the global economy. Until Mogaaba was ousted in 2017, in the country, the devastated economy, a destroyed industrial foundation and a population suffering from good and uprooted.

Page Substitute: Zimbabwe’s tourism aspirations

Zimbabwe is working hard to shed their problematic past and restore her status in the world. Tourism has become a major page with the economic recovery of the country and with wealth in natural treasures and special culture, the government sees tourists a central channel to revive its economy. In 2019, Zimbabwe earned $ 1.1 billion from tourism, and the government hopes to increase profits to $ 5 billion by the end of 2025.

 

 

 

One of Zimbabwe’s great assets is Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterfalls that extend on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia are a breathtaking play of nature, which attracts thousands of tourists each year. There are a variety of lodges and boutique hotels.

Beyond the Victoria Falls, Hwang National Park is another major attraction and is known for its vast wildlife reserves and one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Here the visitors can explore the safari, meet lions, giraffes, cells and rhinos, and experience the unique culture that offers native communities living nearby. In the Rambazi River flowing in the country you can go on sailing, fishing and even safari in Kano.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zimbabwe also offers a fascinating history, such as the Great Zimbabe National Monument – an ancient stone city built by the ancestors of the Hamana, a group of natives who live mainly in Zimbabwe where it is most of the population. The ruins stand as a reminder of the long and famous history of Zimbabwe that preceded colonialism. These remains of ancient civilization are evidence of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Challenges and hope for a new era

While Zimbabwe has already made steps under the rebuilding of her tourist industry, there are quite a few challenges. The state continues to deal with the consequences of failed economic management and political instability. Electrical deficiency, high unemployment rates and weak currency still constitute significant obstacles for its recovery. But as mentioned, the government is now making efforts to improve the business climate, facilitate the visa restrictions and improve infrastructure.

 

 

 

For the residents of Zimbabwe, tourist rehabilitation is not just an economic purpose, but a national ambition. The state works to reconnect to the world to show that despite its struggles, it remains a land of beauty, history and culture. With renewed international interest, foreign investments in tourism make their way back to Zimbabwe, and the state begins to show first signs of hope for economic growth. The key will maintain this momentum, dealing with the challenges and ensuring the benefits of tourism to help the entire population.