adminZimbabwe and Zambia won the bid to co-host the 2013 UNWTO Assembly, to be held in Victoria Falls and Livingstone respectively.
The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the UNWTO and its ordinary sessions, held every two years, are attended by delegates of the full and associate members, as well as representatives of the business council.
The event will bring delegates from 176 countries to the Victoria Falls.
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.
Zimbabwe and Zambia become the second hosts in Africa to win the bid after Senegal in 2005.
Clr Jiyane said the town council had already embarked on initial stages of the preparations.
“At the moment we have come up with sub-committees to fit into the local organising committee.
“The sub-committees are in the transport, health, environmental, security, infrastructural development, resource mobilisation, standards and marketing and the media information and publicity is falling under standards and marketing committee,” he said.
Clr Jiyane said the town was excited to play host to the UNWTO General Assembly.
“We are very privileged to host the international event, and as a town, we want to position our country as a safe tourist destination,” he said.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti allocated US$1 million for preparations for the UNWTO.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi earlier told New Ziana that his ministry was working on meeting all the requirements of 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.
Online Reporter