American tourists survive aircraft accident in Livingstone

AN adventurous fly over the Victoria falls almost ended deadly after the helicopter that two American tourist had booked was trying to return to the airstrip and it’s engine suddenly stopped prompting the pilot to apply emergency landing procedures yesterday.

Details are that around 16:30 hours, the two American Nationals who are lodging at Royal Hotel booked the helicopter from Batoka Sky Livingstone to fly over the Victoria Falls and the surrounding areas.

The aircraft was flown by a male South African pilot, Steenkamp Reyneke, aged 33 and their journey took off from Batoka Sky at 16:40 hours. The duration of the flight was 15 minutes. But as time for landing came, Reyneke was trying to return the Aircraft to the airstrip, heading to Chrisma Hotel and  flying above the sewer ponds.

Suddenly as the helicopter flew in the Zambian sky, its engine stopped, prompting the pilot to apply emergency landing procedures. However, the circumstances left the pilot with no option but to execute an emergency landing in an area which seemed to be open and without obstacles, but eventually landed in the sewer ponds as the aircraft could not glide further.

The accident happened at 17:10 hours, leaving one of the helicopter rotar blades deformed, but with no serious damages. Luckily for the two passengers and pilot, they survived without any injuries and were immediately evacuated after the accident.

Batoka Sky Livingstone Manager, Daniel Geldenhuys, 44 then reported the matter to Livingstone Central police station. Southern Province police Commanding Officer, Auxensio Daka who confirmed the incident said police visited the scene and found the helicopter partially submerged in the sewer ponds which is covered by aqua [acquatic] vegetation.

Source: American tourists survive aircraft accident in Livingstone (21/08/24)

Zimbabwe Tourism Industry has achieved 2025 US$5 billion target

 Leonard Ncube – leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw

GOVERNMENT believes the tourism industry has achieved its US$5 billion target set for 2025 and is working on a digital system that will help monitor and account for every transaction to close leakages and guarantee the sector’s contribution to the national economy.

Government set a target to achieve a US$5 billion tourism industry by 2025 spearheaded by arrivals and developments in the sector.

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.

Dep Minister Mnangagwa said arrivals and bookings over the years show that the US$5 billion target had been met.

He was speaking soon after leading a ceremonial tee-off at the 2024 Sterling Group International Pairs Golf Tournament National Finals being played at Elephant Hills Golf Course in Victoria Falls.

More than 120 amateur golfers from across the country were expected to participate at the tournament for a chance to progress to the World Finals in Tenerife, Spain next month.

Sterling Group of Hotels are sponsoring the tournament in partnership with Albatross Golf Safaris and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) with the sporting event coming in as one of the activities aimed at drumming up the brand Zimbabwe campaign, and complementing the Vision 2030.

“Just for these two days we are looking at about US$200 000 spent by people who came, looking at occupancy. In the long run we are saying we want to push domestic tourism as people move to play golf so that the US$5 billion industry is achieved very easy.

“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.

Dep Minister Mnangagwa said domestic tourism was more important than to wait for international tourists.

He said for any economy to move there is need for spending and creation of employment which helps in growth towards attaining vision 2030.

“We are going to surpass mining and agriculture and soon we will be number 1 contributor to the gross domestic product. What we are saying about under-declaring is, we are coming up with a system or software where every organisation will be made to adhere to and we will be using it to calculate automatically who came in and how many days spent.

“So it is going to be very easy. It will be digital, that is where the world is going. His Excellency President Mnangagwa is pushing towards that and as a Ministry we found it prudent that we also go in that line where every calculation is done and we are able to predict,” said the Dep Minister.

With reference to the ongoing Sadc Heads of State Summit, Dep Minister Mnangagwa said it is a key development that drives tourism as all 16 member States are closely following the event which on its own is advertising for the whole region to recognise that Zimbabwe is there and is a good destination to visit.

Source:  Zimbabwe Tourism Industry has achieved 2025 US$5 billion target (17/08/24)

Victoria Falls City Master Plan: Shaping the Future of Victoria Falls

August 1, 2024 

The City of Victoria Falls recently hosted a pivotal meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the progress of the City’s master plan development. This collaborative effort brought together representatives from the local government, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the tourism industry, community organizations, and urban planning experts. The meeting was marked by a spirit of open dialogue and a shared commitment to shaping a sustainable future for Victoria Falls.

A Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future

The gathering was an important milestone in the development of the City’s master plan, reflecting the collaborative spirit of all participants. Stakeholders engaged in comprehensive discussions, addressing various aspects of urban development, tourism management, and community welfare. This inclusive approach ensures that the master plan will be well-rounded, addressing the needs and aspirations of all sectors of society.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

Open Dialogue and Shared Commitment

One of the standout features of the meeting was the open dialogue between the diverse group of stakeholders. Representatives from different sectors shared their insights, concerns, and suggestions, fostering a sense of unity and mutual understanding. This shared commitment to Victoria Falls’ future underscored the importance of collective action in achieving sustainable development.

Focus on Sustainable Development

Sustainability was a central theme throughout the discussions. Stakeholders emphasized the need for environmentally responsible urban planning that preserves the natural beauty of Victoria Falls while accommodating growth and development. Strategies to minimize the environmental footprint of new developments, enhance green spaces, and promote eco-friendly tourism were key topics of conversation.

Integration of Tourism and Community Welfare

The meeting also highlighted the critical balance between promoting tourism and ensuring the well-being of the local community. Participants discussed ways to enhance the tourism infrastructure while safeguarding the interests of residents. Ideas such as improving local amenities, creating job opportunities, and ensuring fair distribution of tourism revenue were explored to ensure that the benefits of tourism are felt by all.

Pathway to Finalizing the Master Plan

The constructive discussions have paved the way for the Council to finalize the master plan ahead of the June 30th deadline. The insights and feedback gathered from the meeting will be instrumental in refining the plan, ensuring it addresses the diverse needs of the community and aligns with the City’s vision for the future.

Transformative Era of Development

This collaborative approach sets the stage for a transformative era of development in Victoria Falls. By integrating the perspectives of various stakeholders, the master plan aims to create a balanced and inclusive framework for the City’s growth. The plan will prioritize the well-being of both the local community and the City’s thriving tourism industry, fostering a harmonious and prosperous future.

Looking Forward: A Shared Vision

The City of Victoria Falls is committed to maintaining the momentum generated by this successful meeting. As the finalization of the master plan approaches, the Council will continue to engage with stakeholders, ensuring that the plan remains dynamic and responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Source: Victoria Falls City Master Plan: Shaping the Future of Victoria Falls (01/08/2024)