‘Zimbabwe awarded UNWTO bid on merit’

“This is an ideal tourism destination, it is fantastic and people should come from all over the world to see the natural wonders for themselves,” said Dr Varma.
During his stay, Dr Varma visited three hotels, namely Elephant Hills resort, A’Zambezi River Lodge and Kingdom Hotel.

He also visited the mighty Victoria Falls rainforest and had an opportunity to view it from aboard a Zambezi helicopter — Flight of Angels.
The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Permanent Secretary, Dr Sylvester Maunganidze, said this was the right time for the industry to spruce up its image for the successful hosting of the event.

He said the Government had played its part in campaigning for the bid and it was now up to the industry to work on the little details on the ground.
“Destination Zimbabwe is rated as the best in the region because it is peaceful, secure and predictable. Now the frenzy about winning the bid is over and the Government has done its part. Operators now need to be up to scratch,” said Dr Maunganidze.

Meanwhile, the UNWTO local organising committee has identified a piece of land for the construction of a multi-million dollar convention centre to house more than 2 000 delegates expected to attend the event.

Dr Maunganidze said the convention centre, expected to cost about $350 million, would be constructed on a 100-hectare piece of land after Masue River along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
“The site has been identified and the centre will house a shopping mall, offices for operators, pharmacy and a whole lot of businesses. At the same time, we are looking at life after 2013 and the centre will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the town,” said Dr Maunganidze while addressing tour and adventure operators and other stakeholders during a breakfast meeting in Victoria Falls yesterday.

He said the construction of the centre was expected to start in May next year.
“On that same note, it should be through round about May the following year because we want to bring forward the general assembly to June from November,” said Dr Maunganidze.

“This is because in June the temperatures are low and the Victoria Falls rainforest will be at its peak at that time and water spray will be high. Wild animals for safaris like elephants will be all over the place,” he said.

“Right now the water volume is at its lowest in the rainforest and it is not a pleasing site.”
Dr Maunganidze also reminded the meeting that the event was a national one.

“A Cabinet decision on the 2013 assembly agreed that the event be made national. It is now more than a Victoria Falls event. Vice-President Joice Mujuru is now in charge and is calling the shots. All ministries are seized with this challenge of hosting a successful event. Below is the inter-ministerial committee and then the local organising committee headed by the Mayor of Victoria Falls, Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane,” he said.

Dr Maunganidze said the Government had also come up with Statutory Instrument 124 and 125 for recapitalisation and importation of vehicles for the tourism industry.
Previously, there was SI46 and 60.

“SI124 concentrates on the importation of capital goods like carpets, equipment etc, while SI125 looks at vehicles but these are restricted to safari operators,” he said.
Clr Jiyane told the same meeting that the convention centre would see the decongestion of Victoria Falls town, which he said was running out of space.