UNWTO preps gather momentum

Zimbabwe and Zambia won the bid to co-host the 2013 UNWTO Assembly, to be held in Victoria Falls and Livingstone respectively, beating Russia, Turkey, Jordan and Qatar.
The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the UNWTO and its ordinary sessions, held every two years, are attended by delegates from full and associate members, as well as representatives from the business council.
The event will bring 186 countries to the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
It will be the largest world gathering of countries in Zimbabwe since the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting held in the resort town, about two decades ago.
The hosting will be the biggest endorser of the new brand, “Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders”.
Presenting a report in Parliament, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi said an EIA was underway in the resort town.
“All design work is complete while the assessment is ongoing before actual construction starts,” he said.
Minister Mzembi said construction of a convention centre, hotels, shopping mall would be done on 1 200 hectares of land to the tune of US$1 billion.
“Government is considering US$1 billion projects through Build-Own-Transfer, Build-Own-Operate Transfer and private sector participation.
“It is consistent with our own desire to declare Victoria Falls a tourism hub,” he said.
However, the ambitious project is yet to get investors. Meanwhile, Mzembi said the UNWTO executive council, which met last week in Spain, endorsed the General Assembly hosting agreement signed by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“The council which I attended last week passed a resolution to express satisfaction in the signing of the hosting agreement.
“It is signed and sealed,” he said, adding: “We will be welcoming the world in 2013 in Victoria Falls.”
Finance Minister Biti allocated US$1 million for preparations for the UNWTO General Assembly.
The UNWTO consists of 155 countries, seven territories and over 400 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. — New Ziana.