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that arrived in Victoria Falls yesterday to inspect facilities and check on logistical issues is reported to be overly impressed with developments on the ground.
The team made up of UNWTO chief of conferences, Mr Munir Rayes and regional director for Africa Mr Ousmane Ndiaye arrived at the Victoria Falls International Airport from Harare at about 9am aboard an Air Zimbabwe plane. The technical visit is the third meant to check on the two countries’ preparedness to co-host the General Assembly meeting slated for the last week of August.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are co-hosting the General Assembly meeting in Victoria Falls and Livingstone.
Mr Rayes and Mr Ndiaye were accompanied by the permanent secretaries of the Ministries of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Public Works and Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development, Ms Margaret Sangarwe, Mr George Mlilo and Mr Munesushe Munodawafa respectively.
Welcoming the team was the Governor and Resident Minister of Matabeleland North Province, Cde Thokozile Mathuthu, Victoria Falls Mayor, Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane and other senior Government officials.
The team is reviewing the preparedness of Zimbabwe and Zambia that are co-hosting the 20th session of the UNWTO general assembly slated for the last week of August.
Soon after touching down, the team inspected the airport’s terminal, the departure and arrivals lounges among other areas.
Addressing a Press conference soon after the tour of the airport, Mr Rayes said overly, he was impressed by the level of preparedness on the ground.
“The impression we have (on the airport and other facilities) is good. We are here to see if things are on track, we are here to check the state of preparedness and discuss with the Zimbabwean officials. So we are going to check the facilities, which will be used during the conference and like I said yesterday (Monday) in Harare, the impression is good,” he said.
On Monday, the team met acting President Joice Mujuru, who updated them on the preparations and reiterated Zimbabwe’s commitment to the hosting of the premier world event.
The team also met the chairperson of the inter-ministerial committee of the UNWTO general assembly — deputy chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Retired Colonel Christian Katsande.
UNWTO secretary general Mr Talib Rifai also personally inspected the main venue on the Zimbabwean side, the Elephant Hills Resort, when he came to sign a trilateral agreement with President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart Michael Sata in March last year.
Today the team leaves for Livingstone, Zambia, where it will assess facilities and meet Zambian officials before departing for Madrid, Spain, on 19 January.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter