Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
BULAWAYO Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, has blasted the city’s poor marketing record, saying it remains a sleeping giant that needs urgent rebranding to attract investors and tourists.
Speaking on Thursday evening, Coltart said Bulawayo was “terribly under-marketed” and revealed he has been knocking on the doors of several airlines to improve air connectivity and revive the city’s economic fortunes.
“Bulawayo is terribly under-marketed. One of my key tasks over the past year has been persuading Fastjet to link our city with Victoria Falls,” he said.
The mayor added that talks were already in progress with other regional carriers that could soon see direct flights connecting Bulawayo to major destinations.
“Recently, I have been in discussions with Surf Air to see whether we can persuade them to come to the city. I’m also starting negotiations with Airlink to establish direct links to Durban and Cape Town,” he revealed.
Coltart said better air access was a game-changer for the City of Kings and Queens, positioning it as a competitive business and tourism hub.
He said more flights would mean more visitors, investors, and opportunities for the city’s struggling economy.
“Improved connectivity will open up Bulawayo to the world and unlock its full potential,” Coltart said confidently.
At present, Bulawayo’s Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is mainly serviced by Air Zimbabwe, Fastjet, and Ethiopian Airlines, offering limited regional routes compared to Harare and Victoria Falls, which enjoy frequent international connections. Industry players have long complained that poor air links make it harder to attract conferences, investors, and tourists to the country’s second-largest city.
