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Harare Bureau
UNITED Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary general Mr Taleb Rifai has hailed the peaceful elections held last week, saying it was a clear indication that the 20th session of the UNWTO general assembly to be held in Victoria Falls at the end of the month would be successful. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi said the UNWTO secretary general had also conveyed his congratulatory message through the telephone to him and President Mugabe.
“The secretary general Mr Taleb Rifai phoned me on the evening of the 1st of August congratulating me on the peaceful conduct of elections in Zimbabwe,” he said.
He was expressing so much optimism on setting an agenda for the peaceful environment that would prevail during the course of the meeting set for the 24th to the 29th of August in Victoria Falls.
“He also conveyed his congratulatory message to President Robert Mugabe for winning the election and for the peaceful elections.”
Minister Mzembi said everything was ready for the UNWTO general assembly and indicated that they were now hoping that Treasury would soon release funding to cater for the outstanding balances for the contractors.
“Everything is now on track and we are ready for the meeting,” he said.
“We are just hoping that Treasury will soon release funding to pay the balance for the contractors who have been working on the infrastructure, since Treasury had so many pressures last week because of elections.
“We are now expecting the secretariat which will be arriving on the 12th of August.”
Minister Mzembi said the UNWTO general assembly’s success would be measured by the turnout of the 200 member countries and 400 business affiliate organisations.
Last week, the inter-ministerial committee for the co-hosting of the UNWTO general assembly with Zambia also expressed satisfaction with Zimbabwe’s readiness.
Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Colonel Christian Katsande (Retired), led the inter-ministerial delegation to Victoria Falls which comprised permanent secretaries and senior Government officials on an inspection exercise of the areas in the town. Areas that were inspected include the expansion at the Victoria Falls International Airport and the construction of the conference facility for the general assembly at a hotel in the resort town.
Retired Colonel Katsande said final preparations were progressing well adding that the hospitality industry and the nation were looking forward to a successful African UNWTO General Assembly session.
Online Reporter