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Patrick Chitumba Senior Reporter—
MORE than 60 airports and tourism authorities have registered to take part in Routes Africa 2014 to be held in Victoria Falls on Sunday. The most recent registrations include Sao Tome and Principe Tourism Board, Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzania Airports Authority and Aeroportos de Mozambique. Scores of airlines are also scheduled to attend, including the three main African carriers Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways.
In addition, airlines from outside of the African continent such as British Airways, Thomas Cook and Turkish Airways have registered and from the Middle East, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Emirates are also scheduled to attend.
Low-cost carriers will also be out in force with registrations received from the likes of Comair, Fastjet, Fly540 and start up carrier FlyAfrica.com
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) communications manager Anna Hungwe said all was set for the 9th Routes Africa, which will take place from June 22-24.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru is set to officially open the conference.
“VP Mujuru will officially open the conference and there will be aviation-related exhibitors who will be on site from June 22. Local art exhibitors will also be on the Elephant Hills grounds,” she said.
The event is an essential meeting place for a wide range of airlines, airports and tourism authorities, including budget, flagship and national carriers.
Tour and adventure operators are optimistic that the conference coming on the backdrop of a stagnant town in terms of arrivals over the past three years is set to be revived.
Only four airlines namely South African Airways, BA Comair, Air Namibia and Air Zimbabwe are flying into Victoria Falls. More airlines are expected after the conference.
According to statistics from the immigration department, 8,879 tourists arrived at the Victoria Falls International Airport in 2012, 11,970 in 2013 from January to March.
This year and from January to February, 5,413 tourists have passed through the airport.
In this light, tour and adventure operators are confident that the hosting of Routes Africa would usher in new interest from airlines to fly into the resort town.
Online Reporter