admindone much more than was expected by this time of the year.
The UNWTO inspectors who visited Zimbabwe recently have expressed satisfaction on the preparations and Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the tourism and hospitality industry, is leaving no stone unturned.
Work on the Victoria Falls International Airport, the sprucing of the hospital, water and sewer reticulation and the general upkeep of the designated infrastructure is well ahead of schedule.
Misconception about new infrastructure should be cleared because Zimbabwe did not win the bid to co-host the general assembly with Zambia on the pretext of non-available infrastructure, yet to be constructed.
It was based on a marquee erected on the lush green lawns of the golf course at Elephant Hills Hotel.
Any other additional mega infrastructure like a conference centre constructed by Zimbabwe will be mere signature to remind people of the event, in years to come.
With or without the UNWTO General Assembly, Victoria Falls on its own has been a tourist attraction of repute and up to scratch so much that it needs minor sprucing up for the event, which is what Zimbabwe is doing and has done very well so far.
The countdown that was launched last month was meant to keep us on our toes and to keep us alert about our desire to co-host in a manner far too different from others.
Through the launch, all and sundry in the Victoria Falls is now aware of the need to ringfence our image as Zimbabwe and the need to give lasting memories to the UNWTO family, when the mega event eventually occurs.
This writer attended the last UNWTO General Assembly in South Korea and can safely say that there were not more than 1 500 delegates and so Zimbabwe can hardly attract far much more than that. Who are we to attract much more than South Korea?
One thing that is common in human life and progressive thinking is ringfencing one’s interests. As a nation we need to fence around our image by deliberately dealing with administrative issues such as our visa regime, our pricing regime, the need for a functioning plastic money system and air access. It is these issues that need more attention than infrastructure development.
The existing infrastructure only needs some sprucing up, otherwise we are fine.
The millions of pre-cast concrete walls and perimeter fences that greet our eyes day and night protect properties and goods against those who would, given half a chance, deface, steal, destroy or disturb the said investment.
After winning the bid to co-host the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly with Zambia, Zimbabwe has invested economically, politically and socially and hence there is every reason to ringfence its interests before, during and after the event.
This is an international investment. As time ticks away and the countdown to the UNWTO General Assembly to be hosted in Victoria Falls in August next year starts in earnest, sticky issues must be dealt with decisively.
The administrative issues are what largely remain issues, not infrastructure.
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