British billionaire and Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe celebrated his 74th birthday in Victoria Falls on Sunday.
Sir Jim who arrived in the country on Saturday, is on an eight-day visit to Zimbabwe and will visit among other places, Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks.
His visit is yet another endorsement of Zimbabwe as a global tourist destination of choice.
Speaking after playing gold at Elephant Hills Golf Course as part of his birthday celebrations, Sir Jim said he chose Zimbabwe for his birthday celebrations because of its natural attractions and its people’s hospitality.
Sir Jim joins a long list of high profile figures that have visited Zimbabwe and these include former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Hollywood stars and couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uefa president who is also Fifa vice president Aleksander Ceferin and his wife Barbara and Honorary Commander of the British Navy, Mrs Durdana Ansari.
The other celebrities that have visited the country include South African television presenter and socialite Maps Mamponyane, Springsboks captain Siya Kolisi and Barcelona’s Rayco Garcia.
Mamponyane who spent a day in Victoria Falls, spoke glowingly about the falls.
Renowned American comedian and television host Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie also visited Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe, apart from playing host to high profile figures, has been a venue for high profile international conferences and sports tournaments as it consolidates its position as a member of the comity of nations.
The country is now a leader in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice) hence it does not hesitate to bid to host international conferences. In 2024 Zimbabwe hosted the
UN’s inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa.
The conference attracted more than 10 000 delegates from across the globe and was the first gastronomy conference to be held on the African continent. Zimbabwe has played host to international sports tournaments such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B and Women Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
The hosting of these world conferences and sports tournaments are providing Zimbabwe an opportunity to showcase its rich and diverse cultural heritage hospitality.
The delegates to these conferences and athletes participating in the sports tournaments are assisting to market Zimbabwe as a tourist destination of choice hence the need for citizens to show and demonstrate Zimbabwe’s hospitality when interacting with our visitors.
The delegates or sportspersons should speak about Zimbabwe’s beauty and the hospitality of its people when they return to their respective countries. Sir Jim like the rest of the high profile figures that have visited the country, will be our ambassador when he returns to the United Kingdom.
The challenge to the tourism industry is to ensure we have repeat visits by such high profile figures and this is only possible if the visitors enjoy our services and facilities. It is therefore incumbent upon each and every tourism player to strive to provide the best services and facilities.
The tourism sector has witnessed significant growth during the past few years which is largely attributed to the country’s engagement and re-engagement policy guided by its mantra of being a friend to all and enemy to none.
Let us therefore maintain the momentum as we work to grow our tourism industry so that Zimbabwe becomes a leading global travel destination.
