Karikoga Kaseke, CEO of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), confirmed this week that he will be leaving the tourism body.

“I am about to leave the ZTA and I have discussed this with the board Chairperson,” Kaseke told The Financial Gazette. “It will not necessarily be this year, but I want to ensure I leave everything in good shape…with a clear succession plan.”

Kaseke did not give reasons for his imminent departure from the ZTA, however President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s new administration has been pushing to reform state firms and enterprises, including changing key personnel in the institutions. There have already been recent replacements made to some institutions, including the Registrar General’s office, Public Service Commission, police and military.

Kaseke said he was proud to leave the tourism industry in a strong position, and would be leaving the ZTA at a time when the board had adopted the National Tourism Strategy, vision 2025, which aimed to attract at least seven million visitors over the next few years. “Vision 2025 has been accepted by the board. So whoever will be coming will see it through,” he said.

The strategy is vital at a time when Zimbabwe was not yet ready to accommodate the anticipated number of visitors, with not enough stock available, said Kaseke,. “The rooms that we have are slightly above 6 000 countrywide, and that translates to around 10 000 beds. So when we say we want to invite about seven million visitors, we know the amount of investment that is needed and, we think, by 2025, if we go by investment promises we are getting, in terms of accommodation, we will be ready.”