Zimbabwe the Number 1 tourist destination!

When news filtered that Zimbabwe had won the bid to co-host the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly together with Zambia, I am one person who was so elated and said to myself, what a great opportunity to market Zimbabwe's tourism brand!

Zimbabwe had been declared the place to be, come 2013. I saw this as a vote of confidence for the nation. To me, Zimbabwe had been approved as a prime tourist destination. It's like the UN body was saying all international roads, railways, seas and airlines should be re-directed to an African country found in the Southern part of the continent, rightly named Zimbabwe. I felt like all the negative media publicity peddled by the so-called international media had been countered, shamed, proved wrong and shot down. The UNWTO listened to our bid on a professional basis and gave the nod for us to host on the merit of the strength of our bid.

Thumbs up to the bid task force led by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Engineer Walter Mzembi. Congratulations and thank you Comrade. It is always satisfying to note that there are people like you who are working so hard to put Zimbabwe on the world map.

Gratitude also goes to the UNWTO for honouring Zimbabwe and Southern Africa in the process. I am sure the two hosts will not disappoint you at all. Zimbabwe and Zambia will certainly rise to the occasion come 2013.

The time to start preparing is now and I am glad Cde Mzembi and his Ministry has already alluded to this fact. Waiting until 2013 would obviously be disastrous. That the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry is working towards opening a permanent office in Victoria Falls to enable it to work with tour operators in the resort town ahead of the mega event is very commendable.

The Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr Sylvester Maunganidze has also said there is an urgent need for the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport to enable it to handle more and bigger aircrafts. "We need to establish how the airport will handle the flights if 15 aircrafts are going to land within an hour and how long will the passengers wait to stamp their passports," he said.

What is clear therefore is the need for team work amongst all stakeholders to ensure that Zimbabwe maximises business opportunities through the hosting of this UN event. When Dr Maunganidze mentioned the issue of how long it will take for passports to be stamped, my mind thought of the Immigration Department. This department will have to upgrade its systems to improve its speed and efficiency at the ports of entry to ensure a smooth and hustle-free entrance and exit of our visitors before, during, and after the hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly in 2013.

News that government has identified land for the construction of a Convention Centre in Victoria Falls which will be used as the venue for the October 2013 UNWTO General Assembly, is also welcome. We hope the government will allocate funds for its construction through the 2012 National Budget which Minister Biti will be announcing later this month.

This writer trusts that architects and technical planners are already drawing the plan for the construction of the Convention Centre.

Why does this writer say preparation must start now? The nation does not have to wait until last minute because, as they say, the last minute is dangerous. Successful hosting of the UNWTO must begin now, come 2013 everything and everyone will be more than ready. Also, it has been reported that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation secretary general, Mr. Kaleb Rifai, will be in Zimbabwe in February 2012 (we only have December and January left) on a fact finding mission to ascertain the capacity of the country to host the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly.

Another reason for preparations to commence now is the revelations that a UN workshop which was meant to be held in another country has been re-directed to Victoria Falls this December following our successful bid; the Africa Travel Association Convention has also been re-directed to Victoria Falls in May 2012 and is set attract over 2 000 people from all over the world.

The above-mentioned events from December this year to May 2012 must be used to tell the world that Zimbabwe can indeed host the UNWTO General Assembly in 2013. The UN chief should leave this country without any doubt as to our capacity and ability to host the mega UN event.

Tourism stakeholders should now ensure that whatever they do, they go an extra mile in pronouncing a positive image of the country as it will now be under spotlight even on matters deemed minor. Recently, political parties have also come together to urge the nation to be committed to a violent-free society and such a society will be crucial in our bid to host the UNWTO in 2013. Every Zimbabwean has a role to play, particularly because whatever one does will always reflect on the country's image to the outside world.

Zimbabwe has many tourist attractions, some of which have never been exposed to the outside world and have the potential to become prime tourist destinations.

It is therefore laudable that the government of Zimbabwe recently declared the country a tourism zone, in a move that will ensure that all tourist attractions throughout the country receive more exposure and adequate resources to enable them to realise their full potential as prime tourist destinations.

The Great Zimbabwe Monuments, the National Heroes Acre, the Khami ruins, Lake Mutirikwi Dam wall, Mana pools, Nyanga and Vumba mountains, Pungwe Falls, Chinhoyi Caves, Kariba Dam wall, Birchenough Bridge, Lake Chivero, Hwange National Park, Gonarezhou National Park, Matopo National Park, Chipangali Game Park, Bulawayo Museum, Mazvikadei Dam, the Crocodile Farm in Victoria Falls, and the mighty Victoria Falls, are some of the nation's great tourist destinations which can be marketed aggressively ahead of the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly.

Aggressive marketing and lobbying can result in some delegates to the UN event coming earlier or remaining behind to enjoy Zimbabwe's tourist attractions, thereby ensuring the nation boosts its tourism revenue inflows. Research has shown that previous hosts of the UNWTO General Assembly managed to multiply their gross domestic product by 10 times from hosting the event. The business community must come together and find ways of maximising benefits of hosting the UN tourism event.

This writer being a journalist, it would be prudent at this juncture to urge all media organisations in this beautiful country, be they private or public, to unite in marketing

Zimbabwe as a safe and attractive tourist destination. The media should take a leading role in telling the true Zimbabwean story that has been distorted in the last decade by western media conglomerates.

The media as the fourth estate must be the face of the country and since the country has won the UNWTO bid, the media should write or broadcast profiles of the country's tourism facilities.

The arts sector will also come into play here. Local traditional dance groups must be engaged to entertain guests in all the country's tourist attractions, not just in Victoria Falls. This writer has had an opportunity to watch them at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. Everyone must be on board for a successful hosting.

Zimbabweans, your hospitality is only second to none. This is one aspect all visitors to this great nation agree on. Let us continue to be hospitable and Zimbabwe will successfully co-host the October 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly with neighbours, Zambia. To all our visitors, welcome to Zimbabwe!

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets

BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe): Pakistan beat Zimbabweby seven wickets at Queens Sports Club on Monday, getting the winning runs with seven wickets in hand a few minutes before lunch on day five.Scorecard
They were left needing 88 runs for victory after bundling the home team out for 141 runs in their second innings, although they did lose three wickets in the process.
Having been put into bat by Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Zimbabwe reached 412 all out in their first innings before the tourists replied with 466 all out to establish a first-innings lead of 54.
There was not much in it at that stage but Zimbabwe's second effort collapsed to 135-8 at the close of the fourth day, leaving the Pakistanis with the prospect of a routine mop-up operation.
Misbah-ul-Haq said afterwards: "Maybe I was mistaken asking Zimbabwe to bat first. The wicket had green patches. But the bowlers stuck to the task well.
"Our batting to follow was excellent, of good quality. I am proud of the youngsters, especially Aizaz Cheema, who took eight wickets in the match.
"Zimbabwe are a good side and they will improve with experience and become a strong force in the game I'm sure."
Man of the match was Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez, who scored 119 and took four wickets for 31.
With one more wicket he would have recorded a 'viper' in cricket terms -- a century plus five wickets in an innings -- but he did not get a bowl in the final session.
Zimbabwe's opening innings score of 412 looked likely to secure at least a draw, which was their prime target in terms of their need to gain respectability in top cricket circles after being readmitted to Tests after a gap of six years.
And if they had not dropped seven Pakistan wickets in their first innings, plus a fumbled run-out opportunity, the tourists' response might have been much lower than 466.
The Zimbabweans' batsmen were exposed by both Pakistan seam and spin in the second innings.
The wicket had deteriorated and they showed inexperience in dealing with it. Five wickets were lost before they even got past the 54-run deficit.
Only Tatenda Taibu and Kyle Jarvis stood between a single figure total and the 141 runs they eventually managed to scrape together.
They put on 66 for the ninth wicket during the late afternoon of the fourth day -- not quite a face-saving effort, more a reprimand to their colleagues.
However, the Zimbabwe innings lasted only 15 balls on Monday morning, Taibu and last man Christopher Mpofu falling to Cheema.
Pakistan lost Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali in reaching the winning line, but concentration levels required could not have been of the highest.
The first of three one-day internationals will be played on Thursday, followed by the other two in the series and two Twenty20 matches to round out the Pakistan tour in Harare.

Zimbabwe: Tourism Project Hangs in Balance

A multimillion-dollar tourism investment project hangs in the balance over a dispute between investors and resettled farmers regarding part of the land near Lake Chivero, initially earmarked for tourism.
The project in the Hippo Creek Resort initiative would have resulted in an investment of US$50 million, the largest in 10 years.
The Hippo Creek Resort is an investment vehicle formed early this year by a consortium of local investors and a European-based partner. Tourism guru Mr Emmanuel Fundira is the co-ordinator.

The consortium had secured permission to develop a tourism resort on the area around Lake Chivero, which also supplies water to Harare and Norton.
Herald Business understands the multimillion-dollar project has stalled after some of the people resettled under the land reform programme occupied part of the land.
Government embarked on the land reform programme in 1999 to address the land ownership imbalance created under the Land Apportionment Act, among other draconian laws of the period.
The then Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Natural Resources designated the disputed area as a Tourism Development Zone.


But Permanent Secretary for Land and Land Resettlement Mrs Sofia Chakwi professed ignorance of the issue and asked for written questions to carry out an investigation, after which the minister would comment.
This logjam also touched off a dispute with the Zvimba Rural District Council, but sources said only the intervention by the Ministry of Lands and Land Resettlement could bring the raging storm to an end.
Mr Fundira, the project co-ordinator, said Government had pledged to look into the matter.
"The logjam has to do with certificates of occupancy as various parties are claiming ownership of part of the land earlier designated for tourism development.

"The piece of land covers an area of 600 hectares of which 50 percent is secured in partnership with Kuimba Shiri and a few other players," said Mr Fundira.
It was envisaged the partnership with Kuimba Shiri, a bird sanctuary, would make the tourism products under the tourism scheme more adventurous.
The Hippo Creek project was to be rolled out in phases amid revelations that the US$6 million required for the initial phase was already available. The remaining US$44 million would be available in subsequent phases.
Mr Fundira said the investment was expected to create more than 500 direct jobs, but pointed out the potential benefits were more than the stated figures.
Under the project, Hippo Creek intended to put up accommodation facilities, water sports such as skiing, jet sailing, houseboat and boat cruising. The investors also planned to construct an upmarket service centre.
A speedy resolution of the matter would allow the country to benefit from investment and also enable resettled farmers to put land to productive use.
Zimbabwe needs huge amounts of investment to claw back on ground lost during a decade of economic instability, which scared away investors. Tourism is regarded as a "quick win" sector for economic reconstruction.

Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders..to Launch Brand At South African Tourism Expo

Zimbabwe will launch its tourism brand, Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders, at the Indaba Tourism Expo to be held in Durban, South Africa, from May 7 to 10.
This is one of the biggest promotions on the tourism industry in Africa. It is to be held at Durban's Albert Luthuli Convention Centre.
In an interview, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority head of public relations, events and protocol, Mr Sugar Chagonda, said the tourism expo would create a platform for Zimbabwe to launch its brand on a continental scale.
"South Africa is among Zimbabwe's major source markets and remains the major focus for tourist arrivals, accounting for 70 percent of tourist arrivals in Zimbabwe from Africa.
"The Indaba, therefore, becomes an expedient forum for us to launch our Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders brand," he said.
The Zimbabwe tourism delegation to South Africa will be led by the ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke and will include tourism operators.
About 30 companies are expected to exhibit at the expo, among them Rainbow Tourism Group, Khanondo Safaris, Shearwater Adventures and Chikwenya Safari Lodge.
Apart from the brand launch, the travel expo offers an opportunity to increase tourist arrivals from South Africa, to identify and recruit media and buyers for this year's Sanganai/Hlanganani expo and to establish strategic partnerships with the travel trade and media from different source markets.
The Great Indaba promotes a wide variety of Southern African tourism products and services.
Mr Chagonda said the expo provides Zimbabwe with a great opportunity to meet key tour operators from South Africa with packages to Victoria Falls and other neighbouring countries promoting Africa from the international source markets.
"The major objective this year is to launch the brand, 'Zimbabwe A World of Wonders' during Indaba, following successful brand launches in the United Kingdom, China and Germany earlier this year, respectively.
"Given the negative perception about Zimbabwe within the public and the travel agencies, the brand launch serves as a platform for telling the true and detailed story of Zimbabwe," he said.
South Africa is one of the target markets, with a population of 50 million, according to the national census of 2001.
It is a major source market with great potential to grow faster than most source markets, given its proximity to, historical and trade links with Zimbabwe.
Last year, there were 1 368 234 visitors from South Africa to Zimbabwe, compared with 912 000 in 2009.

11% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year(2009) by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Research

A report by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) market research and product development division has reviled that the country's tourism sector showed a stead recovery for the year 2010, by an 11% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year(2009).
According to the latest report titled "Tourism Trends and Statistics Report 2010", the effects and after effects of last year's world soccer jamboree — held in Africa for the first time — largely contributed to the significant rise in tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy levels.

The report indicates that tourist arrivals were  2 239 165, representing an 11 percent increase from the 2009 figure of 2 017 264; pushing up tourism receipts to US$634 million from US$523 million recorded in 2009, representing a 21 percent increase from the comparative period. Of the 2 239 165 arrivals received by Zimbabwe in 2010, Africa contributed 87 percent followed by Europe (6 percent), the Americas (3 percent) and Asia (2 percent). The Oceania and Middle East contributed less than 2 percent.

Average hotel room occupancy levels also increased from 46 percent to 52 percent while average bed occupancy levels rose from 35 percent to 36 percent last year compared to 2009.
Almost all of the country's regions experienced increases in room occupancy levels except Harare and Midlands. Harare and Bulawayo and other regions recorded increases in bed occupancy except Beitbridge that remained unchanged.

The border town of Beitbridge had the highest room (62 percent) and bed (59 percent) occupancy rates while Victoria Falls remained with the highest foreign clientele composition at 63 percent probably because almost all foreign tourists want to catch a glimpse of the majestic Victoria Falls.
In interview last week, ZTA head of public relations and corporate communications Mr Sugar Chagonda confirmed that Zimbabwe's tourism sector recorded an increase in arrivals spurred by some of its Southern

African markets such as South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland.

"Most of our tourists came from neighbouring countries and South Africa remains the major source market in Africa with a market share of 70 percent of arrivals from the African continent.

"The increase is attributed to an increase in tourist arrivals in 2010 to our vigorous marketing campaigns both in traditional and potential source markets. The economic stability obtaining in the country since 2009 is also a major contributor to the rise in tourist arrivals and room occupancy levels.

"It is also important to note that the peace prevailing in the country since the consummation of the inclusive Government has played a pivotal role in luring tourists. A lot of tourists have changed their perception of Zimbabwe since the formation of the inclusive Government," said Mr Chagonda.

The report indicates that tourist arrivals from the Americas rose by 19 percent in 2010 with the United States, arguably the country's second biggest rabid critic after the United Kingdom, increasing arrivals by 30 percent.

The US continues to lead as the major overseas source market for Zimbabwe while Britain has maintained second position since 2006.

It is believed the 2010 soccer World Cup, "to some extent", resulted in an increase in Mexican and Argentinian arrivals. However, the Asian region recorded a 36 percent decline in arrivals with all major markets except Japan and Malaysia recording a decline in the period under review.

Statistics show that Japan is the largest Asian market for Zimbabwe followed by China with a market share of 25 percent.
Europe also recorded a 20 percent decline last year with most major markets recording declines in tourist arrivals. Spain had the highest increase in arrivals (70 percent) followed by Britain and Ireland.

Going forward, Mr Chagonda reckons the country's tourism sector has the potential to do better and probably contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product if Government supports the ZTA's marketing initiatives.

"I still feel we can do better as an industry if Government avails more funds for the Tourism Board's marketing initiatives. There is no doubt that funds are heavily required to enable the ZTA to attend travel shows around the world.

"Last year, we requested for US$12,5 million from Treasury but we only got US$400 000 which is not enough for us to remain visible in source and potential markets. So far this year, we have taken our marketing of the country to Russia, China, Germany and recently the Seychelles where we did well," said Mr Chagonda.

The report suggests that 2011 promises to bring positive results to the country's tourism industry in line with the anticipated growth in international tourist arrivals by between 4 percent and 5 percent riding on the back of economic stability.

Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, Vanessa Sibanda shone in Germany

Former Miss Tourism Zimbabwe, Vanessa Sibanda shone in Germany on Wednesday evening where she was crowned second runner-up for the Top Model of the World contest.

The event was held in Usedom, a Baltic Sea island on the border between Poland and Germany.
Sibanda was among the stunning top models from around the World who travelled to Germany on March 3.

Last week, she managed to showcase Zimbabwean beauty and landed into the top 16 out of 46 contestants.

She did not stop there as the 16 further competed at the Berlin Gala for the Top Model of the World title.

Loredana Salanta, a student and marketing director from Romania clinched the Miss Top Model of the World 2010 title followed by Katerina Fedosejeva, a singer from Baltic Islands who was the first runner-up.
Sibanda, who is also an emerging singer, then managed to settle for the second runner-up position.

For being the second runner-up, Sibanda walked away with a modelling contract from the World Beauty Organisation (WBO), the organisers of the event, plus cash and jewellery.

In an exclusive interview with StandardLife&Style Sibanda said she was excited about her latest achievement.

“The competition was stiff but I am grateful to God for taking me this far as I managed to be the second runner-up.

“I am very excited as this is a great achievement for me,” Sibanda said.

She added that she had always prayed for the moment when the world would appreciate the beauty and talent in Zimbabwe.

“I am happy that my prayers have been answered.

“This once happened in 1994 when Angeline Musasiwa was crowned the fourth runner-up at the Miss World contest and I am glad I have put the country on the map again.

“Every time I was on the ramp I felt like I was representing every model in my beloved Zimbabwe.”
The show, which is now in its 18th edition, is the largest Top Model pageant in the world.

The contest is open to women aged between 17 and 26 years.

Last year, Carolina Rodriguez from Bogota Colombia walked away with the crown.

Each year, the contesting models spend at least 10 days in Germany, visiting some of the popular cities and tourist destinations.

Sibanda was Miss Tourism Zimbabwe for 2009 and she did well at the Miss World contest in South Africa last year when she came out 12th.

She is currently based at a South African modelling agency.

Zimbabwe possibly will permit Return of International Airlines, Independent Says

Harare-Zimbabwe may possibly approve proposals from nine airlines to resume flights to the country, the Zimbabwe Independent reported, citing Annajlia Hungwe, spokeswoman for the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
Air France, KLM, Austrian Airlines, Egypt Air, Swiss Air AG, Bulgarian Airlines, Qantas Airways, Emirates Airline and Lufthansa applied to fly to Zimbabwe again, the Harare-based newspaper cited Hungwe as saying on its website.
Eighteen airlines stopped flights to Zimbabwe over the past decade because of a political and economic crisis in the southern African country, the newspaper said. Zimbabwe rejected applications from airlines in South Africa, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates in 2008, it said.
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