Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
HIS Highness, Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, a distinguished Member of the Ruling Family of the State of Qatar, was left awe-struck by the majestic beauty of the Victoria Falls Rainforest during a visit yesterday, ahead of crucial investment talks with President Mnangagwa scheduled for tomorrow.
The high-powered delegation, which is on an official visit to explore and strengthen bilateral ties, was given a personal tour of the seventh natural wonder of the world by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi.
The visit served to powerfully affirm Victoria Falls as a prime destination of choice for global leaders and high-net-worth investors.
The delegation, visibly impressed by the thunderous roar and towering spray of the Falls, expressed their profound admiration for the natural wonder.
The sentiment was officially captured by key advisors to the Sheikh, who highlighted the visit’s significance for future Qatar-Zimbabwe relations.
Ambassador Mahomed Jassat, the Director of Public Relations and Chief Advisor to His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour, spoke glowingly of the country’s potential.
“This is definitely the best country in the world and it is not because I am Zimbabwean, but the Sheikh shares the same sentiment. So we are in a wonderful place.
“We need to thank our President for allowing and for hosting us, for allowing and sending the Minister of Tourism to see us. It is truly an honour to be in Zimbabwe. If anyone has travelled all over the world, they now need to come to Zimbabwe and we as the Minister always says, Zim Bho. This means that Zimbabwe is the best place in the world. We will be meeting with President Mnangagwa on Monday to further strengthen our strategic partnerships and Investments,” said Amb Jassat.
Mr Nidal Ammache, Chairman of Mansour Holdings and Advisor to His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour, shared the same sentiments emphasising his personal connection to the destination.
“Actually, it is my fourth time in Zimbabwe and first time in Victoria Falls. It is definitely quite a great experience.
We are already in love and we already really like the place. I am looking forward to more collaboration in the future,” said Mr Ammache.
For Minister Rwodzi, the royal visit transcends tourism and is a potent symbol of deepening Governmental relations and a precursor to substantial foreign direct investment into the country’s tourism infrastructure.
“I would like to say that this visit is an indication of all the good relationships between the two Governments. The Government of Zimbabwe, as well as our President Mnangagwa, and the Government of Qatar,” said Minister Rwodzi.
She elaborated on the tangible benefits expected from the visit.
“The discussions that we had and the interest that they have in investing in our country, and in the tourism sector, and coming to our tourism capital, Victoria Falls also indicates that they have so much interest in putting their money in our country’s tourism infrastructure, and we are glad to have them,” she said.
Minister Rwodzi highlighted the immense value of having a member of a royal family experience Zimbabwe first-hand, describing it as the ultimate endorsement of the country’s safety and appeal.
“If the head of state or if anyone from the Royal family is visiting a destination, it means the destination is safe, the destination is peaceful, the destination is worth visiting
“So we shall see. We are anticipating or expecting a lot of people from Qatar coming into Zimbabwe, and vice versa . . . We want to see a reciprocal relationship in terms of tourism between the two countries,” she said.
The visit by Sheikh Mansour and his delegation has undoubtedly cast a powerful international spotlight on Zimbabwe’s tourism offerings, setting a optimistic tone for the high-stakes investment discussions set to take place in Harare tomorrow.
