Online Reporter
Bulawayo Bureau
HIS HIGHNESS Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani, a distinguished member of the ruling family of the State of Qatar, was awestruck by the beauty of the majestic Victoria Falls Rainforest during a visit yesterday, ahead of crucial talks with President Mnangagwa in Harare tomorrow.
The high-powered delegation, which is on an official visit to explore and strengthen bilateral ties, was given a tour of one of the Seven Wonders of the World by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi.
The visit served to affirm Victoria Falls as a prime destination of choice for global leaders and high-net-worth investors.
The delegation was impressed by the thunderous roar and towering spray of the falls.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi with members of the Qatar Royal family in Victoria Falls yesterday.
Ambassador Mahomed Jassat, the director of public relations and chief adviser to His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour, spoke highly 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,” said Amb Jassat.
“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 . . . 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.”
Mansour Holdings chairperson and adviser to His Royal Highness Sheikh Mansour, Mr Nidal Ammache, emphasised his personal connection with Zimbabwe.
“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,” he said,
Minister Rwodzi believes the visit by the royal family represents deepening ties and is a precursor to substantial foreign direct investment into the country’s tourism sector.
“I would like to say that this visit is an indication of all the good relations between the two governments — the Government of Zimbabwe, as well as our President Mnangagwa, and the government of Qatar,” she said.
“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.”
Minister Rwodzi highlighted the immense value of having a member of a royal family experience Zimbabwe firsthand, 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,” she added.
“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.”
The visit by Sheikh Mansour and his delegation has cast the spotlight on Zimbabwe’s tourism offerings.
