Conservation Campaigners Consider Call to Boycott Zim Side of Victoria Falls

(Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, 27th Sept 2025, updated 8th October 2025) 

Conservation campaign group, Keep Victoria Falls Wild, has announced it is considering launching a call for an international tourism boycott of the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls in response to increasing tourism development pressures which continue to threaten the future viability of the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) which it shares with its northern neighbour, Zambia.

In a social media post on their Facebook page, posted to coincide with World Tourism Day, 27th September 2025, the group highlighted the controversial Baines Restaurant development, located a short distance above the Falls and constructed within the WHS 'Highly Ecologically Sensitive Zone' (HSEZ) which prevents all new tourism development.

"A legal challenge against the development, launched in mid-2022 when construction first started at the site, has still yet to be heard by the courts, resulting in a second legal case, raised at the beginning of this year in an attempt to conclude this matter. Despite all the evidence, and negative publicity, the restaurant still remains open, with the owners of the operation, Scanner Investments (trading as Victoria Falls Investments) still claiming it is located in a permitted development zone and even attempting to sue a local resident for over US$2 million in damages in an attempt to silence the truth. All this after the new National Park Management Plan, published in 2024, presented a map which confirmed the site is located in the HESZ 'no new development zone.' It speaks volumes, not only of the state of Zimbabwe's legal system, but also indicates significant political support and influence over this development."

In response to the US$2 million libel claim Keep Victoria Falls Wild published a special report which categorically showed the development is, and always has been, located within the UNESCO WHS HESZ (KVFW, June 2025). 

The Baines Restaurant, Victoria Falls, constructed

within the World Heritage Site 'no new development zone'

The National Park Management Plan map is also definitive in showing the location as within the WHS HESZ (Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, 2024).

Map showing the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site Management Zones 

(adapted from ZPWMA, 2024, click for larger view)

Questioning why, therefore, the restaurant remains open, the statement continued with a call for the tourism sector itself to stand up against illegitimate developments, or face the consequences of further negative publicity as well as a de-valued tourism product as new developments degrade and fragment the local environment of the Falls.

"The development is a stain on Victoria Falls' tourism industry and will continue to create negative media coverage until it is closed, the structures removed, and the site returned to nature. Perhaps it's time we called for an international boycott - not just of this restaurant, but of all tourism to the Zimbabwean side of the Falls, where a wave of tourism development proposals threaten conservation areas within the WHS and surrounding area which have been designated as 'permanently restricted' against all new development since the 1970s - including the riverside 'tree lodge' development which is being proposed by House of Chinhara Hospitality Investments Ltd and which is apparently to be managed by the InterContinental Hotel Group - or so they think. It's time that Zimbabwe's tourism sector sorted its act out and stood up against these illegitimate developments, which not only threaten the natural environment of the Falls, and future of the World Heritage Site, but will also diminish the tourism value of the Falls and limit the future viability of the tourism sector."

The riverside 'tree lodge' development was initially described as a '24 bed semi-permanent tented tree lodge' when first disclosed to the public in 2020. The proposal has subsequently grown into a 57-room 5-star luxury lodge, to be developed by House of Chinhara Hospitality Ltd and managed under InterContinental Hotel Group's exclusive Six Senses brand.

The list of recent tourism developments within this section of the Victoria Falls National Park and WHS HESZ also includes the 'Rock Pool,' a riverside bar developed and managed by the Park Authority, and the launch of tours to Cataract Island by Zambezi Crescent, operators of the Victoria Falls River Lodge, with the recent development of a jetty site a short distance upstream of the Falls to facilitate tours.

In addition Victoria Falls City Council have announced the development of the upstream Victoria Falls Resort, sale of Stand 1815 for a tourism hotel development (on the north-western edge of the Elephant Hills Golf Course) and revealed plans for the development of two more areas of virgin bush for a tourism development, one on the south-eastern side of the Golf Course and Zambezi Drive/Big Tree area and the other on the road loop down to the Falls rainforest, all located on the boundaries of the WHS and within the surrounding 500m 'Buffer Zone' which is supposed to limit development. These latter areas, identified in the 2024 Victoria Falls City Council Master Plan, were previously identified as being 'restricted permanently' from all new development, with the exception of infrastructure essential to its management, under the 1975 town development plan (known as the Outline Plan, and identified as Areas 7 & 14 under the 2001 Combination Plan).

Developments threatening the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site

(click for larger view)

Despite all these ongoing and planned developments, Zimbabwean Authorities chose not to disclose any new developments to UNESCO in the recent 2024 State of Conservation report for the site, thus failing in their obligation to inform the World Heritage Committee of all new developments affecting the WHS (State Parties, 2024). A new report is due to be submitted at the end of the year in advance of the next conference of the World Heritage Committee in mid-2026.

The Victoria Falls was designated as a World Heritage Site in December 1989, following the joint submission of the site by Zambia and Zimbabwe, known as the ‘State Parties,’ to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for consideration on the exclusive global list. The World Heritage List is managed under the World Heritage Convention (1972), of which both countries are signatories. As parties to the convention, the two countries are pledged to keep the Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa-Tunya World Heritage Site (VFWHS) ‘intact for future generations.’

A call for an international tourism boycott of the Zimbabwean side of the Falls, even if targeted against certain operations and operators, could have significant impacts on the country's tourism industry which relies heavily on international visitors to the Falls. Zimbabwe's volatile tourism sector has historically been highly vulnerable to negative international perceptions and is still to recover to pre-pandemic levels, despite government ambitions for a US$5 billion annual tourism economy by 2025. The country recorded 1,613,901 national tourism arrivals in 2024, significantly short of the pre-pandemic high of 2,579,974 arrivals recorded in 2019. Meanwhile Zambia recorded a record 2,199,820 foreign arrivals over 2024.

Zimbabwe’s tourism sector was reported to have generated US$1.18 billion to the national economy in 2024, against US$1.16 billion in 2023 and pre-pandemic highs of US$1.24 billion in 2019 (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, 2025).

Read more on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

Further Information

Keep Victoria Falls Wild (June 2025) Special Report on the Riverine Fringe. (download)

State Parties (2024) State of Conservation Report. Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa-Tunya World Heritage Site.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (2024) Zambezi/Victoria Falls National Park General Management Plan (2024-2034). April 2024.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (2025) Tourism Trends and Statistics 2024.

Victoria Falls courts investors to expand hotel room capacity

 THE City of Victoria Falls is actively courting international investment to address a critical shortage of 2 200 hotel beds and develop world-class infrastructure, as a strategic move set to harness the growing tourism and Mice (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector.

The drive is led by the increasing domestic and international arrivals, which underscores a unified vision to transform the resort city into a premier global destination rivaling the likes of Cape Town.

The campaign gained significant momentum recently when the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, together with the Mayor of Victoria Falls, Councillor Prince Thuso Moyo, and Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube, hosted a high-level delegation from Qatar.

The engagement, held in the city, was a direct pitch for substantial foreign direct investment in the hospitality and ancillary sectors.

Victoria Falls Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube said the city has vast investment opportunities and immense potential.
“Victoria Falls is a destination of choice both from the Government’s perspective and from the city council’s perspective,” he said.

“We have become so busy in terms of Mice, we are very busy in that field, almost every week there is a big event taking place and our challenges have obviously been the accessibility of our destination,” said Mr Dube.

He said there were opportunities for enhanced air connectivity.
“The city is running short of airlines coming through, so I think Your Excellency, with your influence, we can have Qatar Airways flying directly to Victoria Falls so that we can cut our tourists from the Middle East,” said Mr Dube.

Beyond aviation, he outlined critical infrastructure gaps and investment-ready opportunities.
“We also have challenges that relate to aging infrastructure and basic care infrastructure. So, that infrastructure deals with water and sanitation,” he said.

Crucially, Mr Dube confirmed the availability of land for development and highlighted the growing niche of sports tourism.
“There is land available for investment that we can discuss. There are more other opportunities particularly in sports tourism. There is already a cricket stadium that is currently under construction on the outskirts of our city,” he said.

“So, there is a very big opportunity in investing in sports tourism as well. Obviously, in terms of our statistics, Victoria Falls is running short of 2 200 beds for our tourists.”

Minister concurred and provided a comprehensive national context, positioning Victoria Falls as the catalyst for a wider tourism renaissance across Zimbabwe.

She affirmed the Government’s commitment to offering land for development.
“We are here to discuss with you. Victoria Falls is our capital for tourism. We have first, land in Victoria Falls that we can offer to you and that we can offer to your country or your Government to develop tourism infrastructure in our country,” said Minister Rwodzi.

She further addressed the limitations, linking the destination directly to short visitor stays.
“We are lagging behind, particularly in Victoria Falls, but it is all because our infrastructure is not enough. On average, guests are spending two nights. Why? Because activities to do in Victoria Falls are limited,” she said.

A key pillar of the strategy is the development of a purpose-built conference centre to capitalise on the successful Mice track record.

Minister Rwodzi cited a recent event that exposed the infrastructure deficit: “An example is Ramsar that we have just hosted last month, which had 3 000 internationals that came into the country.

But the facility or the infrastructure that we hosted the event was not appropriate for the event.
“So, we are looking into the construction of a conference centre that can have a capacity to accommodate 10 000 people in the town.”

Minister Rwodzi revealed that her ministry holds 260 hectares of prime, serviced land, specifically earmarked for a multi-faceted tourism development.

“In there, a number of facilities can be constructed. There is a financial corridor to be put in that land. There is also a commercial corridor to be put in that land. Accommodation across the board. Chalets, lodges. Hotels,” she said.

While Victoria Falls is the immediate focus, Minister Rwodzi extended the invitation to explore Zimbabwe’s diverse tourism portfolio, from the Eastern Highlands and the Great Zimbabwe Monument to Lake Kariba and Mana Pools, emphasising that investment in infrastructure is the key to unlocking these destinations.

The concerted push by the Government and the Victoria Falls City Council signals a decisive shift from talking about potential to actively creating an enabling environment for large-scale investment.

With a documented gap of 2 200 beds and a compelling vision for integrated tourism development, the world’s adventure capital is rolling out the red carpet, offering global investors a chance to build the future of African tourism.

Source: Victoria Falls courts investors to expand hotel room capacity (29/08/2025)

Zimbabwe cuts tourism fees by half to boost competitiveness

 Zimbabwe has approved sweeping reductions in tourism sector fees, licences and levies, with most charges cut by approximately 50 percent to enhance regional competitiveness.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi confirmed the reforms following Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, though the full list of revised requirements will be published later.

“We have specific fees, licences and levies that have been dropped… most of them are cutting across by about half,” Rwodzi said at the post-Cabinet briefing.

The tourism sector overhaul forms part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s July directive requiring ministries to implement ease-of-doing-business initiatives across 12 sectors within six months.

Health, agriculture, retail, transport, energy, manufacturing, broadcasting, telecommunications, liquor, construction and financial services are also targeted for reform.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said fee reductions range from 25 to 50 percent, with some charges eliminated entirely. “We have used a very fine tooth comb… and we are sure that this will go a long way in reducing the cost of business,” he said.

The National Competitiveness Centre’s research revealed existing fees made Zimbabwe’s tourism industry uncompetitive regionally and globally, prompting the comprehensive review.

“These fees really have raised the cost of doing business. They render our industry uncompetitive regionally and also globally,” Ncube explained.

Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet approved the removal of unjustifiable licences, streamlining of duplicative requirements and reduction of unsustainably high fees.

“The review was undertaken to remove identified unjustifiable licences and permits, levies and fees, streamline duplicative and overlapping licences and permits, and reduce unsustainably high fees and levies,” Muswere said.

The tourism reforms target multiple regulatory authorities including Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Parks and Wildlife Authority, Roads Authority and Aviation Authority.

Industry stakeholders welcomed the changes after extensive consultations covered accommodation, hospitality, catering, tour operators, boating services and vehicle rentals.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries CEO Cornelius Dube called for a single licensing authority for tourism. “There should be a coordinated approach to the acquisition of all licences and permits,” he said.

The current system forces businesses to obtain multiple permits from different agencies through lengthy procedures, creating what stakeholders describe as a “choking regulatory environment.”

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority CEO Winnie Muchanyuka said rationalized costs would inspire confidence among emerging businesses owned by locals.

“The industry had become very expensive and would require lawyers to deal with licensing issues. Lower fees will also attract direct foreign investments,” Muchanyuka said.

The tourism sector contributes 12 percent of Zimbabwe’s GDP and generated $1.18 billion in 2024. Government targets $5 billion in tourism revenue by 2025.

Statistics show tourist arrivals rose 174 percent to 1,043,781 in 2022 from 380,820 in 2021 as COVID-19 restrictions eased. Most visitors came from Africa (66 percent), followed by Europe (17 percent) and Americas (10 percent).

Experts predict Zimbabwe could welcome 2.32 million visitors by 2025, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, potentially reaching 2.78 million by 2028.

The reforms align with Vision 2030 economic goals and follow similar regional initiatives. South Africa recently updated its tourism policy for the first time since 1996.

Transport sector fees affecting tourism, including Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation radio and television licences, will also be reduced, Rwodzi confirmed.

Ncube emphasized the six-month implementation timeline runs until December. While starting with 12 sectors, the review will eventually extend across the entire economy.

The comprehensive overhaul addresses longstanding complaints about Zimbabwe’s complex regulatory framework. Businesses currently face what critics call a “labyrinth of permits and fees.”

A Harare supermarket, for example, requires over 30 different licences and permits to remain compliant, creating excessive operational costs that discourage investment.

As Zimbabwe seeks to attract both leisure tourists and business visitors, the fee reductions aim to showcase the country’s natural attractions including Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Lake Kariba more competitively.

Source: Zimbabwe cuts tourism fees by half to boost competitiveness (27/08/2025)

Qatari Royal Sheikh arrives in Victoria Falls

 A distinguished member of the Qatari ruling family His Excellency Sheikh Mansour Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani has arrived at Victoria Falls International Airport, marking the start of a high-level state visit set to significantly deepen bilateral ties between the two nations.

The Sheikh and his delegation was welcomed by the Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo.

The Sheikh’s delegation comprises of 19 senior officials, executives, and technical advisors and will be formally welcomed at Victoria Falls International Airport on Friday morning.

Running from 22 to 25 August, the visit is being hailed as a historic and transformative milestone for diplomatic, economic, and strategic cooperation.

The visit underscores the growing importance of Zimbabwe within Qatar’s broader regional engagement strategy.

Source: Qatari Royal Sheikh arrives in Victoria Falls (22/08/2025)

Zambian Ministry Of Tourism Holds Human-Wildlife Conflict Stakeholders Meeting

Lusaka – 13/08/2025

The Ministry of Tourism today convened a multi-stakeholder meeting at Radison Blu Hotel in Lusaka to address the growing challenge of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in Zambia.

The meeting brought together representatives from government ministries, traditional leaders, cooperating partners, conservation organisations, community resource boards and the private sector to discuss practical solutions to ensure the safety and livelihoods of communities living near wildlife areas, while safeguarding the country’s biodiversity.

Speaking during the opening session, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Evans Muhanga said the Government is committed to finding balanced solutions that protect both human lives and wildlife.

"Human-wildlife conflict is not merely an environmental challenge it is a social, economic and developmental issue. We must address it in a way that ensures harmony between people and wildlife while promoting tourism and rural development.

Through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, we are strengthening early warning systems, increasing community awareness, and supporting innovative deterrent methods to reduce conflict," Mr. Muhanga said.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) Director, Dominic Chiinda, reaffirmed the department’s role as first responders in mitigating conflict situations.

"Our teams, including village scouts and community resource boards, are on the frontline every day. We are enhancing rapid response capacity, introducing non-lethal deterrents such as chilli-based repellents, and working closely with traditional leaders to create safe zones for both people and wildlife," the DNPW Director said.

Cooperating partners, including international conservation NGOs and development agencies, shared best practices and pledged continued support for Zambia’s Human Wildlife Conflict mitigation efforts. They emphasised the need for:

-Long-term investment in community-led conservation initiatives.

-Greater integration of local knowledge in wildlife management.

-Strengthened cross-border collaboration to address migratory wildlife challenges.

-Support for research and innovation in HWC prevention technologies.

-Development of a National Human-Wildlife Conflict Strategy.

The meeting further agreed that the solutions to human-wildlife conflict requires a united approach for all voices to be heard and ensures that future actions are not only government-led but co-owned by communities, conservationists and the private sector.

The Ministry described the meeting as a milestone in Zambia’s ongoing efforts to balance conservation goals with community needs, adding that the resolutions made will guide both immediate and long-term interventions in HWC management

The meeting concluded with stakeholders agreeing to develop a set of joint recommendations to guide immediate and long-term action on HWC management, aligned with Zambia’s conservation and tourism objectives.

Issued by

Nelly Banda

Principal Public Relations Officer

Ministry of Tourism

Banda.Nelly@mot.gov.zm

 

Zim Tourism Minister claims country reached US$5 million tourism economy target in 2024 while launching US$10 million target for 2030

 (8th August 2025)

At the recent launch of the controversial 2025-2030 Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy in Harare the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Barbara Rwodzi, is reported as claiming that the country had achieved its target of a US$5 billion tourism economy in 2024 while announcing an ambitious target of US$10 million by 2030.

“We already surpassed the USD5 billion mark in 2024. Starting today until 2030, as this policy is for 2025 to 2030, we have challenged ourselves with a USD10 billion cap. The USD5 billion was supposed to be reached in 2025, but we have already surpassed it, and we are challenging ourselves to double that.” (ConserveZim, 4th August 2025)

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority review for the year, however, indicated that the sector generated only US$1.18 billion to the national economy in 2024, against US$1.16 billion in 2023 and pre-pandemic highs of US$1.24 billion in 2019 (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, 2025). Investments in the tourism sector recovered US$190.5 million in 2024, up from US$172.2 million in 2023, but still down on the figure of US$312.5 million recorded in 2022 (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, 2024).

The claim that the target had been reached was first made by Deputy Tourism Minister Tongai Mnangagwa, a nephew of the President, in August 2024.

“Speaking in Victoria Falls this Saturday, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Tongai Mnangagwa said the tourism industry had surpassed its target for a US$5 billion industry by 2025 but was being hampered by under-declaring of transaction by operators.

“‘In my personal capacity we have actually passed the US$5 billion industry. The Challenge is that our operators don’t declare actual figures on occupancy because they want to cut down that 2 percent that they remit to Zimbabwe Tourism Authority but if you look at numbers we have actually surpassed the target,’ he said.” (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 18th August 2024)

The claim comes as the new 2025-2030 Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy granted sweeping powers to the Tourism minister. 

"Clause 9 allows the minister to issue binding policy directives to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), effectively undermining its independence. Further clauses give the minister control over the Tourism Fund (Clause 18), authority to designate tourist facilities (Clause 22), and the final say in appeal processes (Clause 42)... Under Clause 11, the minister is designated as the trustee of the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund, with control over disbursement of grants - yet the bill lacks any mechanisms for public accountability, reporting, or independent auditing of the fund’s expenditures." (news.pindula.co.zw, 4th August 2025)

The new Tourism Bill has been described by investigative  journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as "a looter’s charter," which will entrench corruption, enable political cronyism, and suffocate small operators in the tourism sector.

"This Tourism Bill cloaks control and patronage in the language of reform. It concentrates power in the hands of the tourism minister, giving her broad, unchecked authority to government-appointed officers, and burdens operators with red tape while empowering a controversial state company to dominate the industry. It is a perfect law for cronyism and a nightmare for tourism growth in Zimbabwe." (news.pindula.co.zw, 4th August 2025)

 

Ministry warns residents from provoking elephants

 MINISTRY OF TOURISM WARNS AGAINST DELIBERATE IRRITATION OF ELEPHANTS – CALLS FOR RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR AROUND WILDLIFE

Lusaka, Thursday, 24th July 2025

The Ministry of Tourism has noted with serious concern a video circulating on social media showing individuals deliberately provoking elephants in Livingstone. Such behaviour agitates elephants and compromises public safety.

We, therefore, wish to categorically warn members of the public, especially those living in or visiting areas where elephants and other wild animals are present, against deliberately irritating or provoking wildlife by shouting, chasing or throwing objects at them. Generally, elephants are calm but wild and dangerous animals that, when provoked, can become aggressive and cause fatal harm to humans or damage to property.

In this enlightment, the Ministry wishes to remind the public that:

1. Wild animals must be treated with respect and caution. They are not to be approached, taunted, or interacted with for entertainment purposes.

2. Deliberate provocation of wildlife constitutes an offense under the Zambia Wildlife Act and may result in prosecution, fines, or imprisonment of perpetrators.

3. Provocation of elephants may cause loss of human life and other fatalities and may result in the unnecessary killing of animals that were otherwise peaceful, all due to human recklessness.

We urge communities and individuals to take the following safety measures seriously:

- Keep a safe distance of more than 50m from the elephants and all wildlife.

- Do not attempt to feed, chase, or mock animals.

- Report any stray or threatening animal activity to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife immediately.

- Educate children and visitors about the importance of wildlife conservation and the need for co-existence.

The Ministry, through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, continues to work with communities and stakeholders to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. However, this can only be successful if all citizens play their part by acting responsibly and respectfully toward our natural heritage.

Let us remember that wildlife is a national treasure and must be protected not provoked.

Issued by

Nelly Banda Principal

Public Relations Officer

Ministry of Tourism

Banda.Nelly@mot.gov.zm

See also:

The Elephant Whisperers of Livingstone (worldpressphoto.org, 2025)

Curfew in Livingstone (nhm.ac.uk, 2024)

When hungry elephants and people clash (March 2025)

Over 100 elephants have migrated into Livingstone, DNPW warns (April 2025)

Roaming elephants a giant headache for Zambia (April 2025)

Elephant kills wildlife accountant in Livingstone (June 2025)