adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Tourists, mainly those entering the country through Beitbridge Border Post, have commended the Zimbabwe Republic Police for realigning traffic officers in line with the Government’s open for business mantra. In separate interviews, the visitors, mainly those engaged in biking, overland and group tours said they were impressed with the professionalism and attitude of officers manning road blocks on major highways.
They said in previous years, the road had become a nightmare for anyone travelling through Zimbabwe with foreign registered vehicles.
Mr Jurgen Muess who coordinates the Karoo Bikers, which brings tourists to SADC countries including Zimbabwe, mainly from Europe, Canada and America said the police were reforming for the better.
“This time we enjoyed our tour in Zimbabwe, it’s always such a pleasant experience to arrive here and be greeted by happy people who are very welcoming. Wherever we drove people are waving, children running onto the streets.
‘‘We have had a lot of interaction with the communities living our riding routes, it’s a good thing,” he said.
“The most positive thing this time was the change of the attitude on the part of the police. They were very cheerful and assisting my team and at some point they were requesting to take pictures with us.
“In previous years, they would just arrest us or make us pay hefty fines for trivial things. This time they exchange greetings and even inform you about the road ahead.
“This is very unusual thing for the ZRP. In general everyone is happy about that kind of professionalism and attitude, definitely we would love to come back more frequently, and Zimbabwe is a beautiful country”.
Mr Muess said he usually brings groups of bikers on several tours of the country and that he was looking forward to bringing more visitors from overseas markets.
He said his organisation was also organising several tour packages for families and couple most of whom guided or self-drive.
“From most of the countries we have visited, Zimbabwe is amazing and their operations are orderly especially at the ports of entries.
“We are planning to bring in groups of 40 people to explore the northern part of the country,” said Mr Muess.
He also commended the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) for making access through the country’s borders’ seamless.
“We are very grateful to ZTA, they are serious about tourism promotion,” said Mr Muess.
Another visitor Mr Simon Wilson from United Kingdom said,” I am here for the second time and I have driven in most roads and the people and the police are very lovely. I encourage more people from the world to visit this wonderful country, it’s very safe”.
ZTA’s Area Manager for Beitbridge Ms Berth Mutowembwa said they were recording an increase in overland, group tourists arriving through the country and SADC’s busiest in land port.
“The whole idea is to create a smooth environment for new and repeat visitors. We help them with travel arrangements and the border clearance procedures.
“Their major destinations are Victoria Falls, Mana-pools, Kariba, Great Zimbabwe and the Eastern Highlands. They are also interested in fishing and hunting.
“In terms of border facilitations include the expeditious serving of tourists, considering that in previous they would be held up at various check points within the border. That is now in the past,” said Ms Mutowembwa.
Online Reporter