admin
THE ongoing 9th edition of the Routes Africa conference being held in the resort town of Victoria Falls presents an opportunity for the country to rebrand and show the world that it is open for business.For the umpteenth time, Zimbabwe is hosting a crucial indaba for African states despite it being demonised by the Western media for not being a safe tourism destination.
The prestigious conference comes after the country successfully hosted the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly last year and is due to host the Sadc summit in August.
The forum has attracted over 350 aviation delegates from 44 countries.
The continent’s impressive tourism, travel and aviation summit brings together airlines and civil aviation authorities from across the globe and provides a platform for African countries to take stock of progress made over the years and map the way forward for a continent still dogged by limited connectivity especially by air.
For starters, the hosting of the conference is an endorsement that Zimbabwe is a key player not only on the African continent but the world over. The forum provides an opportunity for the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and Tourism Ministry to attract new airlines into the country and improve connectivity.
Accessibility is one of the key considerations by investors into any market and this conference helps demystify some of the misconceptions the world has about Zimbabwe. Yes, we have our own challenges just like any other country but there is scope for those airlines intending to operate in the country.
Zimbabwe is a fascinating country, endowed with world acclaimed tourism sites like the Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe among others waiting to be explored.
As Vice-President Joice Mujuru put it when she officially opened the conference on Sunday, the country is probably one of the safest and most enjoyable destinations in the whole world — thanks also to its flora and fauna. It’s time international airlines taped into this market.
Most importantly, the conference helps the country correct its image out there by telling the true Zimbabwean story to delegates attending the indaba.
National airliner Air Zimbabwe should thus come to the party and make sure it rises to the occasion. It has to enhance its service provision and outreach if it is to remain relevant in this increasingly competitive industry.
The Routes Africa forum also provides an opportunity for the aviation sector, governments and players in the tourism industry to discuss issues affecting them.
The forum is focused around the development of the world’s air services and hosting world routes provides a unique opportunity for a destination like Zimbabwe to showcase its airports, the resort town and the country at large to the air service decision-makers of the world.
By playing host to an event of such a magnitude, Zimbabwe once again puts itself on the international map for tourism as visitors come for the event.
The forum is also a source of revenue for the Victoria Falls Town Council.
Arts and craft traders also stand a chance to benefit from the spill-overs that come as a result of the successful hosting of the conference.
In addition, the country’s civil aviation sector is able to borrow experiences from its counterparts in the region and beyond and build on such experiences to develop a robust aviation sector.
It also provides a platform for people from different countries to network and create business linkages that will transform the lives of their respective societies or communities.
Already, low cost airline Fastjet has announced plans to begin servicing the Tanzania-Zimbabwe route, which is quite encouraging.
The ongoing upgrading of airport facilities can only help cement the growing interest in the country’s aviation industry.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter