Zimbabwe: Border Re-Opening to Boost Tourism Sector

 Victoria Falls — THE re-opening of Zimbabwe borders has excited players in the tourism sector who say the move would allow free movement of tourists and boost their operations.

The tourism sector has been the hardest hit industry worldwide following imposition of travel restrictions as countries reacted to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Like many parts of the world Zimbabwe's border entry points remained closed to the public while prohibitive PCR test requirements and quarantine terms restricted tourists from travelling.

However, the Cabinet on Tuesday resolved that all borders be opened after the country successfully contained the fourth wave of Covid-19 that was fuelled by the Omicron variant.

In a post-Cabinet briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said when Cabinet adjourned on December 14, 2021, the country was in the midst of the fourth wave with an average of 4 014 cases per day.

The new cases now average less than 1 000 daily.

This re-opening of national borders comes as Zimbabwe, as a destination, has been getting significant inquiries from tourists wishing to visit the country.

Airlines are also lining up to fly into Zimbabwe, especially to Victoria Falls, with Lufthansa's Eurowings Discover scheduled to make a maiden flight to the country's prime resort at the end of next month.

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Matabeleland North chairperson, Anald Musonza, said the industry could now intensify marketing strategies.

"The re-opening of borders across the country is a huge boost to our tourism arrivals traffic as this encourages free movement of the fully vaccinated people," he said.

"As an industry, we hope to start aggressively marketing destination Zimbabwe and its various tourist attractions given the removal of all the major travel restrictions like quarantine and border closures."

Mr Musonza said the industry looked forward to removal of the PCR test requirement as it was a huge cost for clients.

Travellers into Zimbabwe are required to produce a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours. It costs between US$30 and US$75 to get a PCR test.

Victoria Falls, in Matabeleland North Province, is the country's tourism capital. The province also has numerous tourism activities along the Zambezi River while tourists can also enjoy viewing game animals in Hwange, Chamabondo and Zambezi national parks.

There are also sand beaches, fishing and boating in Binga, a district with a unique and rich culture, which on its own is an attraction to tourists.

Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, said the Cabinet decision would benefit tourism.

"We are more than happy as a province because the tourism sector will benefit. We were relying on local clients and now planes can start flying in and other tourists come by road through various borders. This is really encouraging going forwards," he said.

Zimbabwe will be on spotlight for leisure and business tourism especially after the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) through its Zimbabwe National Convention Bureau, made remarkable strides in promoting Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) by securing international membership with The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).

Zimbabwe joins other leading African countries on this picturesque global stage, namely Rwanda and South Africa, with the UFI accreditation for exhibitions, according to ZTA and reopening borders will encourage conference organisers to consider the country for meetings.

Source: Zimbabwe: Border Re-Opening to Boost Tourism Sector (18/02/22)

Unesco assesses Victoria Falls tourism destination

 STAKEHOLDERS in the tourism industry have vowed to keep the iconic Victoria Falls in its pristine state as a World Heritage Site to protect the destination’s status.

This comes as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has deployed a team to assess the state of the destination and its environment in the wake of massive human developments that have taken place since it was declared a World Heritage Site in December 1989.

The declaration was based on its unique geomorphologic formation and exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance of the falls.

The majestic Victoria Falls, classified as the largest waterfall and one of the Seven Wonders of the world, is shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe, which are both signatories to the World Heritage Convention of 1972.

There have been massive infrastructure developments either side of the Zambezi River, which divides Victoria Falls and Livingstone cities, as well as electricity generation activities and proposed Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme, which have raised concern about the future of the destination.

Because of pressure from the tourism industry stakeholders, Unesco dispatched a team to assess the heritage site both in Livingstone and Victoria Falls.

A report will be compiled and presented at the upcoming World Heritage Convention in June this year in Russia.

The assessment will determine whether Victoria Falls continues as a listed World Heritage site, gets downgraded or red-listing, or is totally removed from the list.

The team is led by Zambia National Commission for Unesco secretary-general, Mr Charles Ndakala and has been mandated to assess the effects of developments on the World Heritage site.

It will also assess whether the Batoka project will or will not affect the taita falcon bird and rafting activities due to backflow, benefits of the dam to poor communities and effects on tourism in general as well as whether environmental management agencies from both countries were involved in the Batoka Environmental Impact Assessment process.

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry deputy director (natural resources) Mr Tanyaradzwa Mundoga, who represented the ministry, said the industry is committed to balancing between development and conservation.

Victoria Falls’ economy is solely dependent on tourism.

“The team was sent to assess the potential impact of the threats since there are certain parameters to be followed in terms of the need to preserve tourism and value of the product,” he said.

“The major issue on the table was the Batoka project and new resort on the Zambian side near the river.

They are going to write a report to be presented at the Unesco World Heritage Convention.

“We assured the team that we are going to balance development and conservation and will not allow anything that will jeopardise the pristine nature of the heritage site.”

Zambezi River Authority officials also assured that rafting activities will not be affected by the Batoka project.

Conservationist Mr Trever Lane said the engagements have been an eye opener to the industry and conservationists.

He said any developments should ensure they stick to guidelines and not disturb the natural habitat while balancing between tourism and conservation.

Source: Unesco assesses Victoria Falls tourism destination (16/02/2022)