Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE resort city of Victoria Falls was yesterday buzzing with an excited chatter of international languages that were met by the warm welcome of local hospitality players at the city’s three main ports of entry.
The city’s ports of entry witnessed a festive surge, as hundreds of tourists from across the globe and the region descended on Zimbabwe’s prime resort destination, signalling a robust and joyful peak to the 2025 tourism season.
The festive influx was given a red-carpet reception led by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, who led a high-level Government “Meet and Greet” exercise.
It all started at the crack of dawn at the Kazungula Border Post, where Minister Rwodzi witnessed firsthand the steady stream of vehicles, particularly from neighbouring Botswana, bringing in regional families and international circuit tourists.
By mid-morning, the exercise shifted to the Victoria Falls International Airport, where the minister’s delegation moved to welcome plane-loads of visitors.
The arrivals hall became a vibrant tableau of global travel, with groups from Greece, the United States, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands disembarking, their anticipation palpable.
Minister Rwodzi, beaming with pride and a smile, highlighted the significance of the festive rush.
“We are happy to be receiving internationals, a number of them from a very big group that came in from Greece. I was very happy to meet them,” she said.
“There was a group of more than 28 and also from America. This means it is true that Zimbabwe is a must-visit destination for 2025,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Kazungula, Minister Rwodzi said it is a popular regional tourism circuit.
“They come to our country as a package that has Botswana in it and sometimes Namibia. It is packaged as three, so we see a lot of Germans, a lot of English people, a big number of Americans using this border.
“We have witnessed an increase from the Botswana people themselves and other people in the region also, South Africans, coming to spend their Christmas here. This destination is now being favoured by those in the region,” she said.
Beyond the statistics, the minister emphasised the Government’s commitment to visitor safety and creating memorable experiences, even presenting traditional fabric as souvenirs.
“We are guaranteeing these people security and peace in the country. This is to sell our country and to make it memorable to them,” she said.
The sentiment of a warm welcome was echoed by the tourists themselves.
Mrs Vasiliki Gumenaki from Greece, part of the 28-strong group, expressed her group’s delight.
“We are coming to enjoy the holidays here in Southern Africa. Zimbabweans are very nice people, who are kind, hospitable, and we love them,” she said.
From further afield, Mr Wei Qiying and Mr He Yaosen from Beijing, China also spoke about their experience as they exited the country.
“This is a beautiful, nice country. We love the Zimbabweans,” said Mr Wei.
“There is peace. So, when coming here to visit, you feel so safe to be in Zimbabwe. The food was marvelous.”
He added: “We are so happy to meet the Minister of Tourism here welcoming us to Zimbabwe.”
The festive rush was not solely an international affair.
The Government’s push for domestic tourism was also evident, with local families seizing the opportunity to experience their own world-class attraction.
Mr Tawanda Chawandira, who was visiting Victoria Falls with his wife, expressed his appreciation for the ministerial gesture.
“We are grateful and happy to be here for the holiday. I see the Honourable Minister is here to meet all domestic and international tourists and that is a nice feature. It has never happened before, so I think domestic tourism is on the rise now,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing Mosi-oa-Tunya, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and we look forward to a great holiday in our Zimbabwe.”
As the sun set on Christmas Eve over the Zambezi, the vibrant activity at the borders and the airport crystallised into a clear message that Zimbabwe is firmly on the global tourism map.
The co-ordinated welcome, the cross-continental arrivals, and the happy mingling of local and foreign holiday makers showcase that the sector is in full bloom, a festive gift of economic goodwill and shared joy, promising a truly memorable Christmas for all in the City of Mist.
