Online Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of the giant Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls is about 80 percent complete and authorities are confident the facility will be ready for use before August this year.
Zimbabwe will jointly host the 2027 Cricket World Cup with South Africa and Namibia and the games will be played at the new Stadium.
Zimbabwe Cricket was allocated 10 hectares for the construction of the cricket stadium and ancillary facilities and work started in 2024.
The other facilities include a central business district, medical tourism complex, golf estate, tourism school and conference facilities.
Victoria Falls continues to host international conferences and the construction of the cricket stadium and its ancillary facilities is therefore a very welcome development as it promotes both sport and medical tourism.
Next month Victoria Falls will play host to three high-level United Nations tourism meetings which is yet another endorsement of Zimbabwe as a tourist destination of choice.
The tourism sector has during the past five years witnessed significant growth 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.
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.
The country continues to host high profile international conferences and sports tournaments as it consolidates its position as a member of the comity of nations.
Zimbabwe is now a leader in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (Mice) hence it does not hesitate to bid to host international conferences.
The 2024 gastronomy conference was the first gastronomy conference to be held on the African continent and as such Zimbabwe was a trailblazer in promoting brand Africa.
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 the visitors.
The delegates or sportspersons should speak about Zimbabwe’s beauty and the hospitality of its people when they return to their respective countries.
The challenge to the tourism industry is to ensure we have repeat visits of such international tourists 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.
