Vic Falls UNWTO legacy project nears completion

A Victoria Falls World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) legacy project to commemorate the successful hosting of the 20th General Assembly co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in 2013 will be commissioned at the end of this month.

by Nokuthaba Dlamini

Project director, Olga Mutamba said all was on course for the commissioning of the swimming pool project and refurbishments were nearing completion.

The two countries received a share of $120 000 to construct a project to mark the event, but the money has been coming in batches.

“We received our final batch of money two weeks ago and the local contractors are now working on reducing the depth of the swimming pool to safe levels,” Mutamba said.

“The changing rooms are now ready and we hope by between the 20th and 24th of this month, we will be done. The commissioning will take place just after that,” she said.

Mutamba said Tourism and Hospitality minister Walter Mzembi, UNWTO delegates and other stakeholders will attend the ceremony.

Officials hope the refurbished Chinotimba Community Pool will go a long way in promoting water sport and identification of international swimming stars.

Surrounding schools are expected to benefit from the recreational facility, while participants in the forth-coming National Youth Games, to be hosted by Matabeleland North province, are hopeful of using in preparation for the games.

Though not meeting Olympics standards, the community pool has acceptable depth for major swimming competitions.

Source: Vic Falls UNWTO legacy project nears completion (12/07/17)

Victoria Falls receives $ 80, 000 UN boost

THE United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly (UNWTO) has allocated a further $80,000 to Victoria Falls town for legacy projects as a pat on the back for successfully co-hosting the historic UNWTO General Assembly in 2013.

Victoria Falls co-hosted the event with Livingstone in Zambia and were promised $47,500 each for legacy projects.

UNWTO technical corporations’ manager Marcel Leijzer last week visited Victoria Falls with a delegation from Spain and announced an additional $80, 000.

While $47, 500 will be used to upgrade a swimming pool into a state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility that will boost tourism by attracting international events, the $80, 000 is meant for youth and women projects.

“We are glad to announce a grant of $80, 000 meant for youth and women legacy projects here in Victoria Falls. This adds to the $47,500 that is set to come for legacy projects,” said Leijzer before crossing to Livingstone on a similar mission.

He said the legacy projects are “a good initiative since we only have swimming pools at hotels. This will bring tourists closer to people.”

In 2014, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Walter Mzembi, announced the legacy projects but the money has not been released yet.

The Victoria Falls business community suggested that the money be used to construct a swimming pool with a multi-activity facility to attract world competitions and boost tourism.

Receiving the offer, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Florence Nhekairo, who was represented by the director of international tourism, Francisca Ziyambo, said the legacy projects would transform the resort town.

“The two projects will transform Victoria Falls and the country in years to come. We are grateful to the UNWTO for the sponsorship which will enhance youth and women participation in tourism,” she said.

Nhekairo said the projects will boost tourism in line with Zim-Asset.

Chairperson of the Victoria Falls legacy committee, Olga Mutamba, said the money was overdue since the announcement two years ago.

“We hope this visit will lead to the release of the funds so that we start work on the ground. We are waiting for signing of the agreement to release funds,” she said.

Victoria Falls, which government wants to transform into a conference capital, has been hosting international conferences but reaping minimal benefits.

It has CHOGM Park, which was constructed after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Summit and Emaplankeni, a brainchild of Comesa, as post-summit legacy projects. The town hopes to ride on legacy projects for development.

Source: Victoria Falls receives $ 80, 000 UN boost (12/06/16)

Victoria Falls Council to Tax Individual Tourists

FOREIGN tourists, who must shell out $30 to get to see the Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side, will now have to give the local authority a dollar each to help the council pay off government debt.

In news likely to worry the local tourism industry, the town council has confirmed it would introduce a levy to be charged on individual tourists to help pay off debts.

According to online news Agency The Source, the local authority owes the government about $4 million for refurbishing infrastructure ahead of the World Tourism Organisation's 20th General Assembly held in the town last year.

In addition, the council also owes the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) its pension fund and other utilities over $6 million.

Town clerk Christopher Dube told The Source council would introduce a tourism tax -- a dollar for every foreign visitor to the resort town -- despite opposition from tour operators.

"The supplementary budget is going to see some major increases in rates and service for the industry," said Dube.

"We owe the government $4 million which we got as a loan to rehabilitate infrastructure... We are failing to repay that loan.

Operators last week said they were not going to support the tolling of tourists.

“If these operators are not supporting the tolling of tourists, they will have to fork out that money from their coffers. We are going ahead with the project. We need to raise revenue from somewhere,” Dube said.

Meanwhile, Dube said council recently passed a resolution barring the hiring of external debt collectors after residents cried foul over the move. “We are now going to come up with an internal debt collecting system. But we call upon residents to bear with us and pay even the little they have to settle their bills. A lot of companies and residents continue to default on paying rates, threatening service delivery,” he said.

A government directive last year saw councils across the country scraping residents’ debts – a move that has resulted in them experiencing serious cashflow problems.

Source: Victoria Falls Council to Tax Individual Tourists - AllAfrica (3/6/14)

Zimbabwe To Convert Victoria Falls Into Garden of Eden

ZIMBABWE is planning a low-budget entertainment park in the resort town of Victoria Falls to boost local tourism, a cabinet minister said Friday.

“We want to bring the Garden of Eden to Victoria Falls, where flora and fauna can co-exist,” Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi told AFP at the end of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly co-hosted by Zimbabwe and neighbour Zambia.

“We don’t know how big the Garden of Eden was but it will be our model. It’s still a vision. We are at the conceptual stage. What’s in place is the land.”

Some have dubbed the project “a Disneyland for Africa.”

“The main aim is provide a facility in Victoria Falls where locals who cannot afford the high cost of booking in major hotels in the resort can come for holiday.

“Victoria Falls should cease to be the preserve of the rich and foreign visitors,” Mzembi said.

The government has allocated 1,200 hectares (almost 3,000 acres) of land for the project to be built by local and foreign private investors, he added.

“The Government’s only contribution is the land. We will invite investors to come in and build.”

Among the planned facilities will be a zoo, hotels, a skating rink and a garden with a replica of the Victoria Falls waterfall.

Victoria Falls, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, is a popular destination for foreign holidaymakers.

But high travel and accommodation costs put it beyond the means of the majority of the population.

Along with Livingstone town in Zambia, Victoria Falls hosted the UNWTO general assembly despite objections from some Western countries to Zimbabwe hosting the event.

Zimbabwe has been roundly condemned in the West for the poor human rights record of President Robert Mugabe’s security forces.

But UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said the decision to allow Zimbabwe and Zambia to co-host the event was “the correct and right decision”.

Around 1,200 delegates from UNWTO member states discussed ways to promote tourism. 

Source: Zimbabwe To Convert Victoria Falls Into Garden of Eden (02/09/13)

More: $460m Disneyland Vic Falls investor found (3/1/15)
   African 'Disneyland' still planned for Victoria Falls (22/6/14)

   Zimbabwe's 'Disneyland' plans 'inappropriate' (28/8/13)
   Victoria Falls 'Disneyland' on the cards (22/6/13)

Goofy plans for Vic Falls

Sliding into a soft white leather sofa outside a gleaming new glass-and-steel convention centre, he reels off grand plans: a new $300-million resort, complete with a Disneyland-style theme park, new hotels and a convention centre in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s prime resort.

The general assembly of the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) was a huge success, with record attendances of the group’s members, and there is a spring in Mzembi’s step.

“Disneyland in Africa” is part of a range of new projects that Zimbabwe is planning as it tries to rebuild its tourism industry. Part of this strategy is to make Victoria Falls a new mecca for international conventions.

“We are going to retain this facility [the conference complex],” Mzembi said, gesturing at the structure that was the hub of the convention. “This is a key part of our vision for the future of our industry here.”

The new two-storey structure seats more than 1 000 people and is kitted out with the latest technology. Ahead of the UNWTO general assembly, ­telecoms companies invested more than $100-million in new infrastructure for Victoria Falls.

Land made available
The government is making available 1 200 hectares of prime land close to the town’s international airport. Investors, said to be a consortium of locals and foreigners, have agreed to build a new resort, complete with a Disneyland-style theme park, a new shopping mall, hotels and another convention centre.

Global tourism arrivals hit one billion in 2012, up from 995-million in 2011, according to the organisation. Of these, 14% travelled for business or conferencing, a statistic that obviously caught the attention of Mzembi and top industry players. Now Zimbabwe is bidding hard for top conventions.

“Beyond this conference I am proud to tell you that we have at least five major conferences next year,” said Shingi Munyeza, the head of African Sun, one of the country’s largest hotel groups.  “This shows that there is appetite for Mice [meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions]. We can host more. We now have the capacity.”

But it is a long road back for Zimbabwe’s tourism. Infrastructure, neglected for years, is only now beginning to be renovated, thanks to the UN meeting and the government’s decision to suspend duty on goods needed for the refurbishment of hotels.

Tourist numbers are recovering, but not fast enough. Mzembi hopes the conventions will help jump start the industry.

“You have seen what this single conference has done for Vic Falls in terms of business generated and new infrastructure. Imagine what could happen if we had this every other month,” he said. “Cities are inspired by mega events. Look at what the World Cup did for South Africa in terms of infrastructure.”

Worrying conservationists
Conservationists worry that any new development will disrupt the delicate ecology of the area and that large numbers of tourists may also be bad for the town.

Mzembi, however, insists that the site of the planned new resort is far from the falls. “We don’t want to interfere either with the old Victorian setting of the town or with nature.”  

But why would an investor buy into this vision when, under empowerment laws, they would be allowed to own only 49% of their investment? It is a question Mzembi admits to have faced many times. He wants tourism to take a more moderate approach.

“I will enforce an affirmative action supply chain management system that takes locals into consideration first. We want to make sure those holding these existing assets get their input from our own producers,” he said. But, he admits that his government’s radical approach to indigenisation has hurt investment.

“It is a very good law, very necessary. But we have been unable to properly package it. We are selling it with an angry face,” he said. “We have been unable to unpack it without being angry or harsh.”

Attracting the growing Chinese market will be key for Zimbabwe.

An “approved destination status” awarded to Zimbabwe by China in 2006, supposed to encourage Chinese nationals to visit Zimbabwe, has yielded only a trickle of visitors. 

“We have better attractions. I have asked the Chinese, why are your people going to Niagara Falls? Compared to the Vic Falls, they are like a boy peeing in a pot.”

Zimbabwe could attract more than 10-million Chinese tourists a year, yielding $1-billion per year in tourism revenue, according to officials.

Source: Goofy plans for Vic Falls (30/08/2013)

Mugabe Officially Opens UNWTO Tourism Session At Victoria Falls

President Mugabe has officially opened the 20th Session of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly.

Mugabe addressed a record number of delegates from 124 countries that attended the opening Sunday night at the legendary Victoria Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The event is co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia. Welcoming delegates from a number of countries Mugabe said, “Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to the Victoria Falls and wish you the best in your deliberation and resolution. Please do enjoy our truly African hospitality. Here you will every morning wake up to the chirping of our birds and the aura of the African sun, and at the end of each day go to sleep under the star-filled African sky.

“With these remarks I declare the 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly officially opened.”

Full Speech

His Excellency Mr. Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia,

The Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Mr. Taleb Rifai, Members of the diplomatic community,

Our host Ministers of Tourism here present and other Ministers from the Republics of Zimbabwe and Zambia,

Delegations and our distinguished guests from the UNWTO family,

Our traditional leaders, Chief Mvuto and Chief Mukuni, who share the iconic Victoria Falls,

Captains of the tourism industry,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Comrades and friends,

It is my pleasure, indeed an honor for my country, Zimbabwe, to host the UNWTO family tonight and during the next five days.

The hosting of this United Nations Specialized Agency’s General Assembly constitutes for us an important milestone in the economic history of our two countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. We expect to leave an indelible mark on our memories, and that it be part of our generational legacy, marking a clear turning point in the tourism fortunes of our two countries, our regions and indeed our continent.

Mr. Secretary General, your decision to hold this important global event at this destination inspires us in our ongoing and continuous efforts, since the coming into being of the state of Zimbabwe, to maintain friendly relations with the whole international community, even with those countries with which we may not agree on all matters.

The selection of this venue from a number of competing candidates will doubtlessly strengthen our determination to leverage tourism for the economic well-being and advancement of our people in Zambia, Zimbabwe and the whole of Africa. We are enthused by the endorsement of our two countries as worthy hosts of such a meeting, and the recognition of this destination as one that is safe and secure for the world’s tourists.

Following the independence in 1980, Zimbabwe, and as early as 1981, recognized the efficacy of the UNWTO social and economic development strategy, with its emphasis on long-term sustainable growth in less developed economies, aimed, in part at achieving at least three of the Millennium Development Goals.

We remained an active member of the organization until 1999. Unfortunately during the period 2000 to 2008 we faced immense challenges occasioned, in large part, by illegal debilitating sanctions imposed upon us by some sections of the west. These sanctions sadly came hard on the heels of IMF/World Bank’s ill-conceived Economic Structural Adjustment Program (ESAP) that, amongst other negatives, disabled our active participation in bodies like the UNWTO.

Happily in 2009, with the facilitation of SADC and the AU, we formed a government of national unity, the GNU, which led to the somewhat softening of the stances against us on the part of our political and economic detractors.

I am very satisfied that the then newly set up Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry swiftly reactivated our membership of the UNWTO and, with your active support, Secretary General Rifai, proceed to become a very active member of the organization, acquiring a seat on the organization’s Executive Council in the same year.

Since then we have not looked back and, following our successful two-nation bid with Zambia to co-host this session, we find ourselves here tonight. President Sata and I have since signed the Golden Book of tourism, this becoming ambassadors for global tourism – never mind the chagrin of some of our detractors over this matter.

Please let all of you know, that the signing of the golden book of tourism was not a matter of mere ceremony for us, for through that act we recognized the important political and economic role that tourism can play in our two countries and on our continent. We are committed to leveraging this sector as a key driver of our economic growth.

Let me take this opportunity to reiterate Zimbabwe’s commitment to the founding values and principles of the United Nations, notwithstanding our adversity to the hegemonic tendencies of some of the world’s economic and military super-powers who dominate the organization.

We are very satisfied that the United Nations is a vital body for all humanity. We are particularly happy that its specialized agency like UNICEF and the UNWTO have an increasingly important impact on the welfare of mankind.

Mr. Rifai, ladies and gentlemen your organization’s emphasis on sustainable tourism has great resonance with the importance Zimbabwe places on the principles of development with equity and empowerment of the masses.

It is on that basis, that I, without reservation, have my full support to the Zambia-Zimbabwe bid to host this General Assembly. I am very glad that the organization decided to hold the General Assembly here. That gesture attests to the organizations commitment to the development of tourism in Africa.

This indeed, is as it should be. The current situation where Africa only has a four percent share of global tourism revenue, in spite of its massive natural and cultural tourism resources is a matter of great concern to us.

This is especially so when seen in the light in which Secretary General, you highlighted some points in your White Paper of the year 2010. In that paper, you underlined the tourism sector’s resilience during economic hard times, even during global economic distress, and its capacity to alleviate poverty by its inherent positive disposition to community projects that can be led by women and youths. These are of great importance to us.

In this regard, I must conclude by putting on record our appreciation for the assistance that the UNWTO has extended to us this far as a region. This of late included technical support extended to SADC, through RETOSA, whereby the latter has received assistance towards the establishment of a Tourism Satellite Accounting System (TSAS). The TSAS will help us to fully account for the full contribution by tourism to our national and regional GDP.

I also note with great satisfaction that the UNWTO has approved community based initiatives for Zimbabwe, and their Sustainable Tourism for the reduction of poverty (STEP) program will run under the theme “Enhance the participation of youth and women in the tourism sector.”

This is an effective empowering tool which will promote equity and access to tourism revenue. It also resonates resoundingly with the people empowering initiatives that my government is pursuing.

The thematic thrusts you intend to pursue in this conference are summarized by the catch phrases “Open borders and open skies, removing hurdles to the growth of tourism in Africa.” are very apt in our times.

There is no way Africa can increase its portion of the global tourism cake without first promoting intra- African travel. Indeed connectivity of African cities, regions and attraction augurs well for growing Africa’s share, as it serves, ultimately, to integrate the African tourism product and its marketing and promotion, which in turn makes it more attractive to the long haul traveler than is the case now.

The need for open borders, through regional block visa regimes, which we are trying to implement at UNIVISA through RETOSA, will not only allow easier travel amongst SADC citizens, it will make it easier for the long haul intercontinental visitor and investor.

IT is very critical that Africa evolves strategies that effectively lure tourists to the continent. This assumes even greater importance in view of Europe’s effort to keep the tourism dollars within the Euro Zones, by imposing punitive airport departure taxes for its intercontinental travelers.

The type of seamless border between Livingstone town and Victoria Falls town that has been put in place for purpose of this conference should become the rule rather than the exception, for all adjacent touristic border communities throughout SADC, and ultimately throughout Africa. Africa can only benefit from increasingly behaving like a single common market.

Comrade President Sata, it is my fervent hope that the dream and vision of the founders of independent Africa, of a United States of Africa will become a reality one day sooner rather than later.

Events like this one, Secretary General, which you have constructed and positioned as “A uniquely African General Assembly,” may be small, but critical in the realization of an integrated economic-political entity called Africa.

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to the Victoria Falls and wish you the best in your deliberation and resolution. Please do enjoy our truly African hospitality. Here you will every morning wake up to the chirping of our birds and the aura of the African sun, and at the end of each day go to sleep under the star-filled African sky.

With these remarks I declare the 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly officially opened.

Source: UNWTO: Mugabe Officially Opens UN Tourism Session At Victoria Falls (26/08/13)

Victoria Falls will be a 'cyber city' by UNWTO

Bulawayo24
07 July 2013

VICTORIA FALLS will be a cyber city by the time Zimbabwe co-hosts the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly with Zambia in August, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has said.

Minister Mzembi made the remarks in Harare on Friday last week at an event where his ministry received communication equipment from mobile phone operator Econet Wireless for its UNWTO General Assembly command centre in Harare.

Econet Wireless will invest significantly in communication equipment and infrastructure to be used for the purposes of the UNWTO General Assembly after agreeing to become the ministry's official communication partner for the mega tourism event.

Econet Wireless will set up another communication command centre in Victoria Falls and further invest in state-of-the-art technology for flawless communication during and after the event scheduled for Victoria Falls and Livingstone.

"Victoria Falls will be a cyber city by the time we commence the proceedings of the UNWTO General Assembly on August 24 (2013). That is a condition that we must answer to the general assembly secretariat (that we can give security and comfort to delegates visiting Zimbabwe for the UNWTO General Assembly," Minister Mzembi said.

Source: Bulawayo24

Victoria Falls to hold carnival for UNWTO

Victoria Falls will hold the country’s second carnival in Victoria Falls next month as a welcoming gesture to thousands of tourists expected to attend the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly. Karikoga Kaseke, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive told the Daily News his organisation will hold the carnival on August 23 on the eve of the UNWTO assembly in line with a government directive.

“We have been allocated $300 000 to host the carnival on tourism night in Victoria Falls on the eve of the UNWTO General Assembly,” said Kaseke. “Although the funds are not enough, we are going to do our best to ensure that we give international tourists something to remember about Zimbabwe.”

The forthcoming Victoria Falls event will be a sequel to the hugely-successful inaugural Zimbabwe International Carnival held in Harare in May. The carnival presented a platform for the country to showcase its culture, trade, tourism and investment potential through different animated carnival floats paraded through the streets of the capital.

The ZTA chief executive said although the Victoria Falls carnival would not be of the same magnitude as the Harare one due to geographical and demographical reasons, ZTA had lined up an exciting galaxy of local and international artistes to grace the event.

“Most of the local artistes who performed during the Harare carnival such as Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah have already confirmed their participation while we are still waiting to hear from the targeted international artistes,” he said.

The tourism boss highlighted that carnivals the world over have become good platforms for destination marketing. “This is especially true when we talk of cultural tourism. This is because a nation’s culture and its people are depicted through carnivals,” he said.

Source: DailyNewsLive (7 July 2013)

Redevelopment of Livingstone Market requires extra funding

National media reports that an additional KR10 million is needed for the construction of the Livingstone market popularly known as the 'Zim market'. Last year, government released KR28.5 million for construction of a new market site.

The sign and fence - the works are specified as an 'ultra modern market'.

A weekly progress report for the project states that the council has since written to government over the additional funds. Livingstone City Council director of engineering Benny Chiyesu said without the extra funding, the market would be just like any other ordinary market and not the modern facility that it was intended to be.

"The KR10 million will be needed to enhance the quality of the works at the market" Chiyesu said. Asked if the construction of the market was under-budgeted, Chiyesu said the funding was received before the drawings were done. "But the finishing time for this project still remains the same, which is 31st July 2013 and the target will be met," said Chiyesu.

Over the fence, progress to date...

Meanwhile, construction of other projects such as roads, intercity bus terminus, public toilets and the civic centre among others is progressing with contractors promising to complete the works on schedule ahead of the United Nations World Tourism general assembly to be co-hosted with Zimbabwe in August.

Street sellers awaiting the development of the new market area.

Relocated street vendors in Livingstone are apparently conducting business at their new trading location at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Green Market. On May 10 this year, vendors who were operating from the pavements of the Mosi-oa-Tunya road in Livingstone were relocated in an exercise spearheaded by Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo, aimed at promoting cleanliness in the city ahead of the August 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.

Livingstone City Council acting Public Relations manager Emmanuel Sikanyika said that the council was already engaged in talks with ZESCO on how and when the Green market would be electrified.

Sources: The Post, Zambia - Additional KR10m needed for L/stone's 'Zim market'
The Lusaka Times, Zambia - Livingstone’s street vendor relocation project successful

Minister dismisses petition against UNWTO assembly

Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister, Wylbur Simuusa, has dismissed a petition by environmentalists led by Ian Manning that called for a boycott of the UNWTO General Assembly, calling it false and unpatriotic.

Manning has circulated the document to members of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), urging them to boycott the General Assembly to be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe this August (See blog post here). Manning claimed, among other things, that the government intended to allow mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

"Some of the allegations made in this petition are unfortunately not true. Firstly, the proposed copper mine in the Lower Zambezi National Park was rejected by the Zambia Environmental Agency (ZEMA) and is in the process of being appealed. The petition suggests that there is a statutory limit on the period in which judgment should be delivered," he said on Tuesday. "This is not so, there is no statutory limit and a more careful process is underway to determine whether this decision to preserve the eco-tourism potential of the valley will at the same time be releasing some of the wealth trapped underground in Zambia for the benefit of its extremely poor population. It is not true that the minister in charge of the environment or indeed the Zambian government has failed to make a decision on the issue."

Simuusa said while government admitted that two fundamental requirements were overlooked when a large-scale mining licence was issued to the developers of the proposed mine, the issue was being addressed. "One appeal meeting has been held and another one is scheduled following further submissions made. Everyone can rest assured that there will be no shortcuts and no compromise with environmental standards whether the mine goes ahead or not," Simuusa said. "The petition also alleges that the tar road is being built through the Lower Zambezi National Park minus the environmental impact having been properly evaluated. This is totally untrue. Extreme care has been exercised with the 8000 kilometres of the new roads planned in the Link Zambia programme."

He said the government was encouraging debate on how to handle the conflict between conservation and exploitation of natural resources. "Can mining and management of a game reserve be done at the same time in the same place? As pressure increases for the exploitation and extraction of minerals and other resources, as a nation we need to settle this question, especially that the conflict exists not only in the Lower Zambezi National Park but in other protected areas of Zambia where there are abundant minerals and other resources," said Simuusa. "The Zambian government is at a loss to understand the boycotting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Conference, which will have a beneficial effect on the management of our superb wildlife and natural resources. We will urge everyone not to sign the petition because it seeks to cure mischiefs that do not exist."

Source: The Zambian Post, Simuusa dismisses petition against UNWTO assembly , 24 May 2013

Zambian Govt pumps Livingstone UNWTO preparations

The Zambian government has released more than KR10 million to the Livingstone organising committee for the UNWTO General Assembly to speed up preparatory works.

And tourism and arts minister Sylvia Masebo has directed the Zambia Police and the Livingstone City Council to allow newspaper vendors to sell newspapers freely after reports of harassment since she ordered for the removal of street vendors from the main business corridors.

The UNWTO indaba is the first of its kind to be held in Southern Africa and the second in Africa after Senegal hosted the 2005 UNWTO assembly. With the release of the funds, Masebo expressed hope that infrastructural works and other proposed projects would be implemented before August 24 when the UNWTO general assembly commences.

She also said it was unfortunate that the State and Council police were not allowing newspaper and airtime vendors to display their products in the main street. Masebo said newspapers should not be hidden and inconvenienced because they were informing people on several matters of development.

Environmentalists petition UNWTO members to boycott assembly

Environmentalists led by Ian Manning have petitioned members of the UN World Tourism Organisation to boycott the General Assembly scheduled to take place in Victoria Falls and Livingstone - if Zambia allows mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

According to the petition that has been sent the 154 UNWTO member countries and posted online at www.change.org (external link), the UNWTO and its partners, including Zambia and Zimbabwe, must abide by the UNWTO Code of Ethics that recognise ecotourism as key in the fight against poverty.

The petition accuses the government of failing to uphold the rejection of th open-pit mining project in the Lower Zambezi National Park by the Zambian Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).

"Its Minister is failing to make a decision on the appeal made in November 2012. In addition, President Sata personally supervises the Road Development Agency, their priority being to construct a tar road through the park without any environmental or strategic oversight. As the miners - Australia's Zambezi Resources Limited - have made clear, President Sata and his senior ministers support the project," read excerpts of the draft petition.

"Therefore, the only reason for the Minister not upholding the appeal by the miners within the statutory two weeks is to save Presidents Sata from being embarrassed at the Victoria Falls and Livingstone UNWTO General Assembly meetings. In the absence of an immediate undertaking to prohibit mining in the Lower Zambezi National Park and to halt the building of a tarred highway until the normal Environmental Impact Statement procedures are followed, I call on member countries and affiliate members to be bound by the UNWTO global code of ethics and BOYCOTT the twentieth General Assembly."

"This document should also insist that Zambia give an immediate undertaking that no mining or unplanned and unsanctioned road programmes will be allowed in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Failure to do so will require a boycott of the August UNWTO/Zimbabwe/Zambia general assembly by member countries and affiliate members,".

It advised people to sign the petition aimed at protecting the environment and the promotion of sustainable development, stating that the Zambezi basin's massive area of primary nature was threatened by mining, hydro-electric schemes and gross infrastructural development. "While gathered on the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls and Livingstone, many members will be unaware that downstream is the mid-Zambezi wonderland of nature in which ecotourism thrives - supposedly secured by a broad array of protected areas, including a world heritage site, and with the massive support of 17 chiefs of the Zambezi Basin who in October 2008 called on their governments and SADC to ban all mining there,".

And Manning stated that the petition had created an awareness of the threat to the Lower Zambezi National Park but it has not had much effect on the Zambian Patriotic Front Government.

Source: Adapted from The Zambian Post, Conservationists petition UNWTO members to boycott assembly (17 May 2013)

Victoria Falls, Katima Mulilo and Kazungula borders to be computerised by June

The Zambian Post
2 May 2013
Zambian Immigration Department says computerisation of its systems at three border posts... is expected to be completed by June.
Immigration acting public relations officer Mubanda Chansa said Techno Soft Company has been awarded the contract for the works. Government recently released over KR500,000 for computerisation of Victoria Falls border post in Livingstone and Katima Mulilo and Kazungula border posts, as the country steps up preparations to host the 20th Session of the UNWTO general assembly, which will be held in southern Africa for the first time.
Ms Chansa said in an interview in Livingstone yesterday that the department has since bought equipment needed for the project which includes 20 computers, 15 web cameras and finger print scanners... Ms Chansa said the border posts will be linked to the headquarters in Lusaka which will in turn expedite the verification and issuance of travel documents.
The computerisation of Victoria Falls, Katima Mulilo and Kazungula border posts is meant to ease the movement of travellers to and from Zambia, during, before and after the UNWTO general assembly, whose aftermath is anticipated to increase the flow of tourists into the country.
Read full article here.

Greenpop aims to paint Livingstone green for UNWTO

The Post, Zambia
24/04/13
Greenpop, a South Africa based organisation last year extended its operations in the country through the launch of trees for Zambia, a reforestation and eco-awareness project which began with a three-week tree planting event and was followed by an ongoing campaign to inspire awareness about deforestation, climate change, tree planting, environmental sustainability and alternative energy sources.
Greenpop is trying to schedule a tree planting side event during the UNWTO general assembly to highlight the issues of deforestation and how it affects everyone in Africa. This year, over 5,000 trees are planned to be planted in Livingstone.
Q-Kindly update us on what Greenpop is all about and your objectives?
A-Greenpop is a social enterprise that believes green and sustainable living can be fun, popular and accessible for all. We believe in inspiring a greener, more conscious, inclusive movement and do this through tree planting projects, green action events, education, social media, volunteerism and activating people to do something. Greenpop started in September 2010 in South Africa and we have since planted over 18,000 trees in over 200 beneficiary schools, crèches, old-age homes, community centres as well as deforested areas in Southern Africa. Creative tree-care programmes have been implemented and children, community members and volunteers are getting their hands dirty, learning a lot and loving it. Greenpop is inspired by the exciting projects we have been coming up and the bright green future we see for Africa.
Q-What are some of the challenges you face in promoting green campaign?
A-The challenge is that people rely on charcoal for a livelihood and it is not acceptable to just tell people to stop. Sustainable projects are ones that offer alternatives and education do not preach about how people ‘should’ live. We are starting to include solar cooking into our project and continually looking into other solutions as well. We are so grateful for all the support from the authorities, schools, companies and partners in Livingstone – none of this would be possible without the Livingstone community
Q-What does the hosting of UNWTO mean to your organisation?
A-It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase Livingstone as a green and eco-tourism hotspot. Globally people are looking for responsible tourism options and we’d like to be involved in promoting Livingstone in this way. We also feel, delegates should be invited to plant trees and are hoping to run a planting side event during the UNWTO as well as offer delegates chance to buy a tree for Livingstone to compensate for their travel footprint. We would like to highlight the issues of deforestation and how it affects all of us in Africa. It’s really important to work together (all of us in Africa) as this issue and issues of Climate Change are not country specific – we are all in this together. We would also like to highlight to tourism delegates that greening and green tourism is the way to go and it is the trend globally. Greenpop’s media partner Makhulu has also just won the United Nation forum on Forests Short Film Award for Africa – the film is about a Zambian forest hero Lloyd Maanyina from Livingstone who was a charcoal seller and is now a tree grower. We believe this video should be shown at the UNWTO. We would also like to have an exhibition space to sell trees that delegates can donate to Livingstone to compensate for their travel footprint.
Read full article here

Zimbabwe Council for Tourism satisfied with Victoria Falls developments for UNWTO

From victoriafalls24.com
17 April 2013

The Zimbabwe Council for Tourism [ZTC] says it is satisfied with preparatory work going on in Victoria Falls ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation congress to be hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in August this year.

ZCT president Mr Glenn Stutchbury said the public and private sectors had initiated a range of activities aimed at ensuring the resort area was geared to hosting the event. ”Tourism operators in Zimbabwe are looking forward to this event, which will have a major impact on business levels and will have longer term advantage for the Zimbabwean travel and tourism sector.

“Operators are all playing a role in helping to make sure Victoria Falls is ready for the congress and that it can cope with the demands made by the large number of people who will be in attendance,” he said. A total of US$16 million is being spent by hotel groups on refurbishment of hotels, which includes the A’Zambezi Hotel that has already been completed.

A further US$4,5 million has been spent on upgrading the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, US$3 million on a major refurbishment of the Victoria Falls Hotel and US$1,5 million on a complete refurbishment and rebranding of the new Cresta Sprayview Hotel.

Other hotels involved in refurbishment, include Elephant Hills, The Kingdom at Victoria Falls, the Rainbow Hotel and Ilala Lodge...

“All of this work is either complete or scheduled for completion well in time for the UNWTO meeting, and all of it will have a long-term benefit in that the results of the refurbishment will be enjoyed by all visitors to Victoria Falls in coming months and years, not only those people present for the WTO gathering,” said Mr Stutchbury.

Public works being undertaken in Victoria Falls include extensions to the resort’s airport, widening and resurfacing of roads, construction of a new electricity substation, installation of a new water pipeline, improvements to fibre-optic links and bandwidth availability and upgrades to the Victoria Falls Hospital and other medical facilities.

Read full article here.

Zambia improves Victoria Falls border facilities in readiness for UNWTO

The Times, Zambia
30 March 2013

Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Charity Mwansa has expressed happiness at the construction of lavatories and other facilities at the Victoria Falls border in readiness for the August 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.

The Victoria Falls ablution block is being constructed at a cost of KR350,000 while the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) is constructing separate lavatories and other infrastructure at a cost KR2.2 million.

"I am quite happy with the progress... We, however, urge them to put up facilities that are also friendly to people living with disabilities," she said when she inspected the two projects at Victoria Falls border in Livingstone.

At the World Heritage Site, Ms Mwansa was equally impressed with the works and urged contractors to speed up works and ensure the project was of high standards. Project manager Ashraf Sayed said his team was on course to construct an ablution block and fencing of the border area between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Mr Sayed said the KR2.2 million project would be completed within 10 weeks.

Read full article here.

Zimbabwe looks for UNWTO support

Source: Mail & Guardian

05 April 2013

Zimbabwe has asked its neighbours, including South Africa, to help it fund a prestigious UN summit at Victoria Falls later this year.

Zimbabwe is turning to other African countries, including South Africa, to raise money to host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in Victoria Falls in August. It became clear during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the government would not be able to provide the required $11.2-million in funding.

Information gathered by the Mail & Guardian this week indicated that Zimbabwe Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, who has been to several countries to market the event, which Harare sees as an opportunity to revamp its battered image and attract investment, was due to travel to South Africa this week to look for funds to host the event to avert potential embarrassment for the country.

Mzembi said he could "not discuss the country's shopping list in the media", but confirmed that Zimbabwe was seeking "capacity-building" assistance from its neighbour.

But sources close to the preparations said that, among other requests, Mzembi would ask Van Schalkwyk for an increase in the number of South African Airways flights to Zimbabwe as Air Zimbabwe would not cope, and for the possibility of other guests being accommodated in South Africa. It was not clear who would pick up the cost.

The government was expected to disburse USD $6.5-million from its own budget, but nothing has been paid out. Instead private companies Mbada Diamonds, Econet and Telecel have stepped in to help. The Zambian governmnet has budgetted KR32.3 million (about USD $6.5 million).

Mbada has promised USD $2.5-million, including paying for a publicity blitz on international media platforms. So far the company has disbursed USD $600 000. Besides this contribution, Mbada is also going to fund the opening ceremony, including the venue, logistics and meals.

Zimbabwe obtained a $150-million loan from the China Import-Export Bank to refurbish infrastructure, including airports, roads and hotels, ahead of the event, although most of the work is behind schedule and some projects, including building a new convention centre with a seating capacity of 4 500 in Victoria Falls, have been abandoned.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet failed to commit resources to the event after it was suggested the $6.5-million would come only when diamonds had been sold. Finance Minister Tendai Biti has made it clear that the conference is not among his funding priorities.

To get things on track, Mzembi has now hired a South Africa professional conference organiser after attempts by sections of government to use the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company were rejected by the minister. The minister has also engaged the Conventions Africa consultancy to help to raise funds. The company managed to source the $2.5-million from Mbada.

Conventions Africa spokesperson Susanna Makombe said this week the consultancy was confident it would raise enough funds for the tourism conference as it was now targeting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

The consultancy has been given clearance by the UN tourism organisation to raise the money.

Read the full article here.

UPDATE (16/04/13)

South Africa approves $100-million (R900-million) loan to Zimbabwe.

Source

Livingstone airport renovations to be completed in July

Source: The Post
03 April 2013

Zambia's National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) Managing Director Robinson Misitali says renovation works at the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport will be completed in July. In an interview in Ndola on Sunday, Misitali said the terminal building would be operational before the UNWTO general assembly in August. He said the total cost of the airport renovations was US$ 20 million and that the terminal building would handle one million passengers per annum as compared to the previous 250,000 passengers per annum.

Zimbabwe targets rural tourism development projects ahead of UNWTO

A United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) official last week held discussions with the government on the Tourism Assistance programme for Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Government and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) are working towards boosting the country’s tourism brand name, 'A World of Wonders' in advance of the UNWTO General Assembly scheduled for August this year.
UNWTO director of technical cooperation, Harsh Varma visited Harare and held meetings with the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, followed by consultations with other stakeholders.
The Standard reported a decision was made to first take up the complete spatial planning for two Tourism Development Zones at Kariba and Masvingo, as financial resources were still being mobilised for the Tourism Master Plan. It is understood that these two projects could be developed as quick-win projects for showcasing before the UNWTO General Assembly scheduled for August this year.
Several aspects related to the spatial planning process for the two projects include overall physical planning of the two tourism zones, specifying the tourism resources, detailed area demarcation, a comprehensive inventory of tourism resources, their qualitative assessment and a detailed marketing strategy bringing out the unique features of each zone.
Central to the spatial planning process was the development of community-based and rural tourism in both the zones. This would include identification of communities, development of a programme of homesteads, involvement of women and youth, promotion of arts and craft, local cuisine, festivals and other activities.
It was agreed that the formulation of a five-year implementation action plan for the key performance areas, actions and outcomes was imperative. The cost, time frames and responsibilities for executing the action plan would also be clearly specified.
It was noted that the endeavour would be to initiate implementation of the project by the end of March and complete it by mid-July this year.
It was also agreed that consultants at national level with expertise in the field of tourism would be utilised while also deploying international consultants in some disciplines so as to give project outcomes an international flavour, based on the best practices and success stories from other destinations.
A budget of US$210,000 was drawn up for international consultants, while other charges and expenses brought the grand total to US$301,400.
Read full report here.

Zimbabwe to build Victoria Falls Convention Centre

 The Zimbabwe Government is to construct a multi-million dollar convention centre at Victoria Falls.

The proposed centre is to be the venue for the United National World Tourism Organisation General Assembly jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in 2013.

A 1,000 hectare piece of land has been proposed six kilometres south of the iconic tourist attraction and natural wonder, Victoria Falls.

The Zimbabwe Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said his government was in a process of holding Environmental Impact Assessment stakeholder consultations in accordance with the provisions the Environmental Management Act.

The Minister said the exact details of the centre would be revealed after the stakeholder consultation were held, but initial plans show the project will have a seating capacity of 3-5,000 delegates with several committee rooms, a golf course, a five-star and a three-star hotel.

“We prefer to work quietly on the construction of the convention centre because we do not want to scare away investors,” he said.

In an interview with local Zimbabwean news agency, Chronicle, the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Retired Colonel Christian Katsande, said the current capacity of hosting events of a bigger magnitude was limiting the town.

“It was high time for the convention centre and to make sure that we are really positioning Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe to host such big events,” he said.

Source: Zimbabwe to build Victoria Falls Convention Centre (03/02/12)