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)

KAZA TFCA Approves Conservation and Tourism Frameworks as Zimbabwe Assumes Chair

 The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) has endorsed four key strategies to strengthen policy harmonisation in tourism, wildlife conservation, and community development across its five member states: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The decision follows Zimbabwe’s assumption of the bloc’s chairmanship after the 15th Ministerial Committee Meeting in Livingstone, Zambia. Approved frameworks include an updated Elephant Action Plan, a regional human-elephant conflict management strategy for the Zambezi-Mosi Oa Tunya wildlife corridor, a standardised veterinary sampling protocol, and the creation of a carnivore conservation sub-working group.

Outgoing chair Zambia underscored the importance of expanding cross-border tourism initiatives, including the KAZA UniVisa, and securing sustainable financing for conservation and climate adaptation. The ministers also noted financial progress, including the Phase III KfW grant and a €5 million EU commitment to support integrated development and conservation strategies. With Zimbabwe now chairing KAZA TFCA, expectations are high for continued regional cooperation to advance sustainable tourism, protect biodiversity, and foster community engagement.

Source: KAZA TFCA Approves Conservation and Tourism Frameworks as Zimbabwe Assumes Chair (27/08/2025)

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)

Vic Falls residents push for clarity in Town Clerk corruption probe

 The Victoria Falls Residents Consortium has petitioned police to speed up a corruption probe into Town Clerk Ronnie Dube, who has been at the centre of controversy over the allocation of stands and other alleged irregularities at the city council.

The renewed push comes after Dube was reinstated earlier this year by Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe, a move that divided opinion in the resort city.

Allegations against Dube date back to 2024, when a board of inquiry ruled that he had a case to answer over the disposal of council property. Issues flagged included the allocation of residential stands under the BE100 scheme, the hiring of a consultancy said to have prejudiced council of over US$157 000, and the sale of Stand Number 1829.

Based on those findings, the local authority suspended Dube, but Garwe later overturned the decision, citing provisions of the Urban Councils Act.

In its latest correspondence to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the residents' consortium demanded updates on case number 6219269, filed against Dube.

"On behalf of Victoria Falls community, Herbert Ncube and Trymore Ndolo, under the Victoria Falls Residents Consortium banner, filed a case against Ronnie Dube, the Town Clerk of Victoria Falls City Council. We made numerous follow ups per attached correspondence, and the residents feel the responses from the authorities do not satisfy their expectations in line with the evidence at hand," reads part of the letter.

Earlier, residents had approached police in Victoria Falls and Hwange, but in June they were told the case had been referred to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).

"Kindly be advised that the case was initially reported to and investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. The outcome was not shared with the police. In light of this, we recognise that the police cannot conduct parallel investigations with Zacc," local police said in their June 20 correspondence.

The consortium, however, insists the delays have worsened public concerns, citing what they describe as "fresh allegations of abuse of land allocation procedures at the VFCC (Victoria Falls City Council) and harassment of employees for cooperating with Zacc and the board of inquiry."

Dube's legal team maintains that due process was not followed during the inquiry. In correspondence seen by the Zimbabwe Independent, Ncube Attorneys argued that no substantive charges were put to their client and that the board lacked the authority to proceed without ministerial approval.

Minutes of a December 10, 2024 meeting show that Advocate Ndlovu, representing Dube, challenged the board's jurisdiction, pointing to Garwe's December 6 letter rescinding the suspension and declaring it inconsistent with Section 139(4) of the Urban Councils Act.

The composition of the three-member board was also challenged in the High Court.

For now, residents remain adamant that authorities must move decisively. "Despite all attempts to arrest corruption at VFCC, the cancer seems to be gathering momentum," the consortium warned.

Source: Vic Falls residents push for clarity in Town Clerk probe (22/08/2025)

READ MORE:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (13th October 2025) Furore over Victoria Falls housing stands recall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd August 2025) Vic Falls residents push for clarity in Town Clerk corruption probe.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th March 2025) Minister defends Vic Falls Town Clerk, accuses residents’ groups of politics.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th July 2025) Victoria Falls Residents Consortium slams opposition-led council over alleged corruption, poor service delivery 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (8th December 2024) Government reverses 'unprocedural suspension' of Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th December 2024) Public funds being wasted investigating lies, says suspended Vic Falls Town Clerk.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th December 2024) Corruption and abuse of office - Victoria Falls Town Clerk and 2024 CEO of the year suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th December 2024) Multi-million-dollar scandal rocks Victoria Falls council.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th June 2024) Pushback as Victoria Falls council boss clings to power.

See Also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd January 2024) Victoria Falls former Mayor Somveli Dhlamini loses appeal against conviction, sentence.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th January 2023) Govt says Vic Falls TC Ronnie Dube must face the music.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th January 2023) Victoria Falls council probe team completes investigations 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th October 2022) Victoria Falls Town Clerk Refuses To Resign Over Corruption Allegations. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (7th October 2022) Land scam: Vic Falls Mayor Dhlamini arrested. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (11th June 2022) Stands corruption storm in Victoria Falls 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (27th June 2021) Victoria Falls town clerk reinstated.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (26th June 2021) Vic Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube reinstated 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (20th June 2021) Suspended town clerk gets windfall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2021) Victoria Falls Councillors Accuse Minister July Moyo Of Meddling.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th April 2021) Town Clerk Dube suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2020) Minister Moyo Settles MDC Factions’ Victoria Falls Mayoral Dispute. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (29th February 2020) MDC expels Victoria Falls mayor for defying party directive. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th February 2020) Victoria Falls mayor arrested.

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)

Passenger boom in Vic Falls

 THE Victoria Falls International Airport (VFIA) is experiencing an unprecedented passenger boom, shattering pre-pandemic records and cementing its status as a key regional aviation hub, driven by a surge in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE), tourism and a strategic drive to attract more airlines.

Statistics released by the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) paint a glowing picture of recovery and growth.

After the catastrophic drop in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19, where annual passenger numbers plummeted to below 70 000, recovery began in earnest in 2022 (219 308).

The upgraded airport not only rebounded, but exploded past its pre-pandemic benchmark in 2023, handling 390 010 passengers, surpassing the 2019 total of 374 208.

This momentum intensified in 2024, with the airport surpassing the half-million passenger mark to reach a record 505 426 for the year. The growth trajectory is even more pronounced in the first seven months of 2025. While the full year’s data is incomplete, the January-July figures for 2025 (287 597) already show a significant 17,5 percent increase over the same period in 2024 (244 773).

Most strikingly, July 2025 saw 62 279 passengers, a 39,69 percent increase compared to July 2024 (44 583).

In an interview with Zimpapers on Wednesday, ACZ public relations and communications manager, Mr Tonderai Mangombe, said the remarkable growth is directly linked to the airport’s 2016 upgrade and a concerted development strategy.

“Since the re-administration of this airport, I can proudly say the traffic has gone up twice, like double. In 2019, before the upgrade, we were handling an average of 200 000 passengers per annum. But of late, to 2024, we were up to 500 000 passengers per annum,” he said.

Mr Mangombe attributed this success to a proactive grid development initiative.

“As the Airport Company of Zimbabwe, we are doing what is called grid development. We are approaching airlines to fly into Zimbabwe and we are also encouraging those airlines currently flying into Zimbabwe to increase their frequencies, to increase their routes,” he said.

This strategy is already yielding tangible results.  Mr Mangombe highlighted the expansion of services by regional carrier Airlink, which now operates two daily flights to Johannesburg and has extended its Kruger National Park service to include Durban.

Furthermore, the recent launch of a Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route by Fastjet on August 8 has been a game-changer for domestic connectivity.

“The grid development endeavours together with this tourism fraternity and the industry, we are all working together trying to ensure we grow the aviation industry as a sector and its contribution to the economy,” said Mr Mangombe.

A significant and immediate driver of the July 2025 surge was the high-profile COP15 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, which drew thousands of international delegates to the resort town. Mr Mangombe confirmed its impact.

“Recently, we had COP15, which brought in a number of people into Victoria Falls, which I can proudly say is also a contributor to the 39 percent increase in July,” he said. This aligns perfectly with the Government’s tourism thrust.

The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Cde Barbara Rwodzi, in a recent interview, emphasised making Zimbabwe a premier destination for large-scale events.

“It is indeed our thrust that we have been pushing this year to ensure that Zimbabwe is a destination of choice when it comes to conferencing, to conventions and gatherings of any nature,” she said.

“We are very happy about this Ramsar gathering. As you can see, it has brought several people into our country, bigger than most of the other Ramsar conventions in the past years.”

Minister Rwodzi directly linked this success to air access, welcoming Fastjet’s new domestic route.

“Definitely, tourism accessibility is key. As for the coming in of Fastjet, it means growth, particularly in domestic tourism, but also in international tourism,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi pointed to the new route’s potential to promote multi-destination tourism.

“We have other tourists that we are pushing to come into Bulawayo, spend a night or two because Bulawayo is another destination for our country, and then going over to Victoria Falls,” she said.

“There has not been an airline that has been coming from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls for a long time, and it is good news that now Fastjet is opening this route.”

In 2016, the Victoria Falls International Airport was upgraded and commissioned to handle 1,5 million passengers, up from 400 000.

Source: Passenger boom in Vic Falls (21/08/2025)

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

 Read More:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (28th September 2025) Livingstone woman dies after confronting elephant.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (26th September 2025) Elephants Claim 7 Lives in Livingstone Since January 2025.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th September 2025) Elephant kills 16-yr-old Livingstone boy.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th September 2025) Boy Killed by Elephant in Livingstone.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (13th August 2025) Zambian Ministry Of Tourism Holds Human-Wildlife Conflict Stakeholders Meeting.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (25th July 2025) Ministry warns residents from provoking elephants.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (28th June 2025) Elephant kills wildlife accountant in Livingstone-Zambia.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (3rd April 2025) Roaming elephants a giant headache for Zambia.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd April 2025) Over 100 elephants have migrated into Livingstone, DNPW warns.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (1st April 2025). Elephants and Hippos Threaten Lives of Livingstone Residents.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (22nd June 2024) Elephant kills American tourist in Zambia.

See also (external links, open in a new window):

Living with giants (www.worldwildlife.org, Spring 2025)

When hungry elephants and people clash (www.npr.org, March 2025)

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

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

Human-Wildlife Conflict In Dambwa South, Livingstone Zambia (https://uncoverkavangozambezi.com/, 2023)