Radisson Hotel Group announces its arrival at Victoria Falls, an UNESCO world heritage site

 The hotel will be constructed and operated with the greatest respect to its close proximity of the natural wonders and aims to obtain the EDGE green building certification as well sign the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge, becoming a best practice in the implementation of Radisson Hotel Group’s leading Responsible Business program.

Radisson Hotel Group announce its first resort and third hotel in Zambia, with the signing of Radisson Blu Resort Mosi-oa-Tunya, Livingstone, Zambia. Due to open by the end of 2022, this new addition places the Group firmly on track to achieving its objective of reaching 150 hotels in operation and under development in Africa by 2025.

Nestled on the banks of one of Africa’s longest rivers, the Zambezi, in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, 5km south of the historic city of Livingstone, just 4km north west of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and an UNESCO world heritage site. Convenience is amplified with Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport located just 15 minutes away.

For an immersive experience of the destination, situated right next door, is Safari Par Excellence, offering unique on and off the river adventure activities, from Victoria Falls bridge activities, water-rafting, canoeing and game drives to helicopter rides, river cruises and elephant encounters.

The hotel will be constructed and operated with the greatest respect to its close proximity of the natural wonders and aims to obtain the EDGE green building certification as well sign the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge, becoming a best practice in the implementation of Radisson Hotel Group’s leading Responsible Business program.

The construction of the new hotel which is currently underway, and the design fully integrate local materials and focuses on employing and upskilling local craftspeople. It will consist of a contemporary 174-room main hotel and 26 luxurious villas. Guests can indulge in their favourite cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant and sit back with their favourite drink at the coffee bar. To bask in the fresh African evening air in comfort, guests can gather around the outdoor boma and firepit. During their stay, guests can also enjoy the hotel’s expansive swimming pool, find serenity at the spa or maintain their health at the sports and fitness gym. Ideal for all occasions, the hotel’s meetings and events facilities will include a ballroom of over 500sqm, boardrooms as well as meeting rooms, perfect for leisure and business use.

Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President Development, Africa & Turkey, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “We have been present in Zambia for many years and have long recognized the potential of the country. It was essential for us to complement our presence in Zambia with a resort offering in one of Africa’s most visited leisure tourism destinations – the Victoria Falls. This marks our third hotel in the country, complementing our existing portfolio of one hotel in operation, Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka, and the under-development Park Inn by Radisson Lusaka, Longacres, due to open early next year. Through this unique resort, we look forward to demonstrating our strong Responsible Business heritage and sustainable programmes and initiatives which will further promote the destination and ensure the preservation of this unique reserve and location. We are truly proud to have partnered with NAPSA for the launch of the Radisson Blu Resort Mosi-oa-Tunya, Livingstone as we further seek to reinforce our collaboration in promoting tourism across Zambia.”

Mr. Yollard Kachinda, Director General  of NAPSA, the owning company said: “It is an honour to be partnering with Radisson Hotel Group, a company that believes in thriving, sustainable, and responsible business that supports people, communities and the planet with various procedures and programs to build better futures. We are proud to be associated with the creation of several jobs, both directly and indirectly. It is also satisfying to note that most of the materials are locally sourced, such as steel coming from Kafue Steel, timber coming from Zambezi Sawmills and other materials such as quarry and stones also being sourced within the community. We are looking forward to introducing this unique resort to the market and are confident that the various sustainable elements of the hotel will uplift the community and enhance the overall experience of this beautiful destination and its economy.”

Radisson Hotel Group operates to high standards of performance and advocates socially and environmentally sustainable business practices. More than ever, Radisson Hotel Group’s highest priorities remain the health and safety of its guests and employees. The Group partnered with SGS, the world’s leading inspection and certification company, to implement the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, which ensures the highest hygiene standards and strengthens the Group’s existing rigorous sanitation guidelines. In the run-up to the opening of Radisson Blu Resort Mosi-oa-Tunya, Livingstone, Zambia will implement the Radisson Hotel Group brand standards including the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol related to safety and security.

Source: Radisson Hotel Group announces its arrival at Victoria Falls, an UNESCO world heritage site (20/04/21)

Radisson Hotel Group to operate controversial new hotel development

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce its first resort and third hotel in Zambia, with the signing of Radisson Blu Resort Mosi-oa-Tunya, Livingstone, Zambia. Due to open by the end of 2022, this new addition places the Group firmly on track to achieving its objective of reaching 150 hotels in operation and under development in Africa by 2025.

A computer generated visualisation of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort development

Nestled on the banks of one of Africa's longest rivers, the Zambezi, in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, 5km south of the historic city of Livingstone, just 4km north west of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and an UNESCO world heritage site. Convenience is amplified with Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport located just 15 minutes away.

For an immersive experience of the destination, situated right next door, is Safari Par Excellence, offering unique on and off the river adventure activities, from Victoria Falls bridge activities, water-rafting, canoeing and game drives to helicopter rides, river cruises and elephant encounters.

The hotel will be constructed and operated with the greatest respect to its close proximity of the natural wonders and aims to obtain the EDGE green building certification as well sign the UNESCO Sustainable Tourism Pledge, becoming a best practice in the implementation of Radisson Hotel Group's leading Responsible Business program.

The construction of the new hotel which is currently underway, and the design fully integrate local materials and focuses on employing and upskilling local craftspeople. It will consist of a contemporary 174-room main hotel and 26 luxurious villas. Guests can indulge in their favourite cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant and sit back with their favourite drink at the coffee bar. To bask in the fresh African evening air in comfort, guests can gather around the outdoor boma and firepit. During their stay, guests can also enjoy the hotel's expansive swimming pool, find serenity at the spa or maintain their health at the sports and fitness gym. Ideal for all occasions, the hotel's meetings and events facilities will include a ballroom of over 500sqm, boardrooms as well as meeting rooms, perfect for leisure and business use.

Source: Radisson Hotel Group Announces Its Arrival At Victoria Falls, An Unesco World Heritage Site (15/04/21)

Background: New Hotel Development Threatens Livingstone's Elephants (12/08/20)

Victoria Falls records subdued activities during Easter

 Leonard Ncube and Lingani Nyika, Chronicle Reporters

SIGNIFICANT bookings were recorded in boat cruise and high wire activities during this year’s Easter holiday but business was low on the accommodation side.

The Easter holiday started on Good Friday and ends today before the normal work and school schedules resume tomorrow.

Easter and Christmas holidays are traditionally peak periods for the local tourism industry as they are characterised by huge arrivals and bookings around resorts and leisure places.

Domestic tourists usually top the travel list during Easter while the festive season has also over the years recorded significant numbers of regional clients visiting Zimbabwe for the Victoria Falls Carnival that takes place in December.

However, for the second year running Easter has been subdued because of travel restrictions and lockdown as land borders remain closed while most countries are also yet to lift restrictions on international travel in an effort to curb Covid-19.

Families usually travel during Easter for gatherings and spending time with their children but this year the fact that schools are open and learners who attend boarding schools were barred from leaving their institutions meant less traveling.

Traditionally, Victoria Falls streets would be a hive of activity with scores of people moving about while many will be sampling different activities around the city.

In the past week, streets were quiet with a few occasional sit-ins at restaurants.

Employers Association for the Tourism and Safari Operators (EATSO) national president Mr Clement Mukwasi said significant bookings were recorded in boat cruise and high wire activities as well as tour of the Falls.

“It looks like high wire activities have attracted quite a lot of tourists this Easter compared to last year. The same applies to cruises that are running at full capacity because of the reduced numbers that have been prescribed due to Covid-19 rules where operators must carry 50 percent of their capacity.

“So, we have had full bookings for cruises and a lot of people coming in to do high wire activities as well as touring the Falls. We also had a lot of people visiting food outlets where sit-ins are now allowed for a limited number of people,” said Mr Mukwasi.

Without giving statistics, Mr Mukwasi said a majority of tourists were locals from Hwange, Bulawayo and Harare among other places.

Some of them were one-day trippers who visited Victoria Falls to do activities and drove back without sleeping over, a trend that is popular mostly with Zimbabweans who have expressed concern that accommodation charges are beyond their reach.

Mr Mukwasi said there were few people from the region especially from South Africa, probably because of the fact that land borders are still closed.

A quick check in the central business district yesterday showed clear streets and mostly no customers at restaurants around the CBD.

Usually, restaurants get brisk business late afternoon and evening when tourists return from other activities.

The news crew was told that there was a bit of activity at the Crocodile Farm near Zambezi River where some locals were enjoying time playing with the reptiles.

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (Haz) local chapter chair Mr Anald Musonza said business was very low on the accommodation front.

He said the industry pins hopes on the ongoing vaccination exercise especially in Victoria Falls to boost confidence among travellers.

“This Easter holiday remained very quiet and we hope for better days going forward,” he said.

The low business also affected taxi drivers who usually record brisk business during such holidays.

“So far there are no clients. We were expecting better business during the holiday since people have been vaccinated but it is actually the opposite. The whole week has been quiet and today we have been parked with no single client,” said Mr Viyani Ncube of Vee Taxis. — @ncubeleon

Source: Victoria Falls records subdued activities during Easter (05/04/21)