Convention Center for Victoria Falls

In order to prepare for the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2013, the Zimbabwe government plans to construct a Convention Centre in Victoria Falls town. The center will seat between 3,000-5,000 people, have committee rooms, a golf course, and two hotels. This was the story in one of the newspapers this week.

According to the article, the piece of land being proposed for the construction of the convention center covers an area of about 1,000 hectares. It is located six kilometers south of Victoria Falls town. It starts just after Musue River to the south of the town extending to about five kilometers southwards towards Victoria Falls airport, said the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality. This could put the site west of the Bulawayo road, just north of Stanley and Livingstone Lodge.

This story is interesting for several reasons. The first one is that the government of Zambia is also considering building a Conference Center in Livingstone for the UNWTO meeting. The other reason it is interesting, is because the private sector in Victoria Falls town stated that they were unwilling to invest in any such building development, as it was economically unviable at this present time. The private sector in Livingstone is also unwilling to go to any investment for the meeting for precisely the same reason. One can only guess that both convention centers would be built and funded by the Chinese.

All this points to the fact that there is not much discussion going on between the two governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The UNWTO only needs one conference facility and doubtfully will need more hotels. A walk around Victoria Falls town hotels will show the emptiness of many accommodation facilities. Only those hotels who work tirelessly on their marketing are managing to fill their rooms.

Discussing the building of a conference facility in Livingstone, I was told that Livingstone will need such a facility for the future as it intends to attract thousands of tourists. With the future uncertain since much of the world still in recession and predictions stating that it will go on for many years, this intention may be extremely hopeful.

Zimbabwe has a broken infrastructure throughout the country, with water and sewage systems not working, power stations collapsing, roads deteriorating, etc. Victoria Falls town is an island on the edge of Zimbabwe, which functions well, but the rest of the country is in a state of collapse. Surely if the government is to spend money, it should be spent on basic facilities for the people.

Bungee jumps suspended at Victoria Falls

HARARE — A Zimbabwean tourism company has suspended bungee jumps at Victoria Falls while they investigate an accident in which a tourist plunged into the Zambezi River, a spokesman said Thursday.

"We voluntarily suspended bungee jumping for two days (from Wednesday) to allow an audit of the accident that happened" after a cord snapped, Shearwater Adventures spokesman Clement Mukwasi told AFP.

"This was to allow the auditors, management and crew the opportunity to analyse the causes of the broken cord and review the new system and procedures without distractions."

Jumps could resume from the weekend, he added.

On New Year's Eve, 22-year-old Australian Erin Langworthy jumped from the Victoria Falls bridge and fell head-first into the Zambezi River, 111 metres (364 feet) below.

The hair-raising accident was caught on video and Langworthy is seen hitting the water with her feet still tied before being swept towards rapids on the river, which separates Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Langworthy managed to avoid any crocodiles and swim to the Zimbabwe side of the river, where she hauled herself out.

She suffered a fractured collar bone and severe bruising and was taken to South Africa for treatment.

Mukwasi said "all other activities including bridge swings, slides tours and the restaurant facility will continue as normal."

Zambia's tourism minister Given Lubinda on Sunday took a bungee jump in an attempt to assure tourists of its safety.

Tourism is the life blood of the towns of Victoria Falls and Livingstone in Zambia, where upmarket resorts attract visitors from around the world.

Mukwasi said the probability of an accident was one in 50,000 jumps a year.

Australian tourist survives after bungee cord breaks at Vic Falls

Victoria Falls: The exact reason for the chord failure is as yet unknown and we do not want to speculate until the reviewed by the independent auditors and sent for forensic analysis.

Questions are being raised as to who is to blame for an accident that could have claimed the life of Erin Langworthy, who wanted to usher in 2012 with an adrenaline rush at Vic Falls, but she got far more than she bargained for after her bungee cord snapped on the way down.

The 22-year-old Australian was on holiday on New Year’s Eve when she took the 111-metre bungee jump from the Victoria Falls bridge above the river, plunging her head-first into the raging crocodile-infested waters of the Zambezi River.

But it all went horribly wrong when the cord snapped about halfway into the jump. The terrifying moment was caught on video and Langworthy is seen hitting the water with her feet still tied before being swept towards rapids, AFP reported.

The young woman from Perth today described her miracle escape in an interview with Australia’s Channel Nine.

“It went black straight away and I felt like I’d been slapped all over. As I went deeper, the water got colder and it must have snapped me out of it.”

Langworthy said she had been white water rafting the previous day and remembered some of the safety tips to get through the looming rapids.

“The water was going quite quickly and then I started to hear the roaring,” she said. ”It’s like being in waves, you get sucked under and then you pop up so it’s very disorienting, I didn’t know which was up or down.”

She managed to swim to the Zimbabwe side of the river, where she hauled herself out.

“It was quite scary because a couple of times the rope actually got caught on some rocks or debris,” she said. ”I actually had to swim down and yank the bungee cord out of whatever it was caught on to make it to the surface.”

Langworthy suffered a fractured collar bone as well as massive bruising in the accident and was taken to South Africa for treatment.

“Yes, I think it’s definitely a miracle that I survived,” she told the broadcaster.

The Lusaka Times quoted Zambian Tourism Minister Given Lubinda as assuring tourists the bungee jumping equipment was safe, despite the incident.

“The bungee has proven to be a very viable operation considering that more than 50 000 tourists jump on it every year,” he said. ”It has been in operation for 10 years. This is the first time I am hearing of an incident. The probability of an incident is one in 500 000 jumps.”

Some have blamed the booking agent, Safari Par Excellence, but the company has claimed it is not the bungee operator.

Victoria Falls Bungee released a statement on 6 January which read, “The exact reason for the chord failure is as yet unknown and we do not want to speculate until the reviewed by the independent auditors and sent for forensic analysis. We take this exceptionally seriously and our objective now is to learn from this incident and review every component part of our operation to determine where we can further minimize the risk of bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge.”

The company said it had removed all bungee cords from the system, which were made with the same batch of rubber as that used to make the failed cord. These have been retained for further testing.
It added that an entirely new set of bungee cords have been installed on the system. These have been extensively load tested and inspected thoroughly and we are satisfied that they are safe to jump on.
“The broken cord has been carefully stored and will shortly be sent to South Africa for forensic testing. The entire bungee system has been thoroughly inspected and checked and we are fully confident that everything is safe to jump on.”

Victoria Falls Registers Increase In Festive Tourist Arrivals

Zimbabwe’s major tourist destination, Victoria Falls registered a near 10% increase in tourist arrivals during the festive season compared to 2010, according to the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZNPWA). Caroline Washaya-Moyo, the ZNPWA public relations officer stated in a statement that a total of 7950 visitors during the peak period of the festive season between 21 and 27 December were registered in the resort town compared to 7069 visitors in 2010. The figure represented an 8.8% increase.

“During the same period in 2010, locals constituted 57%, international visitors 17% and regional 17%.

“Of the 2011 entries, 64% percent were locals while international visitors constituted 19% and regional visitors 26%,” Caroline Washaya-Moyo, the ZNPWA public relations officer said in a statement.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) recently said the increase in tourist arrivals is a clear sign of the recovery of the country’s tourism sector which had been hard hit by the political instability in the country over the last ten years and the deterioration of relations with western countries – the sector’s traditional source markets.

The ZTA has said the continued growth in arrivals can be attributed to the increased confidence in Zimbabwe as a tourist destination and the political stability.

Following the establishment of a coalition government, many governments lifted travel bans to Zimbabwe, which had been imposed for security reasons, for their citizens.

As a result, ZTA said, tourists began coming to Zimbabwe again, including from the most skeptic European markets.

''The effects of the all-inclusive government which was formed in February 2009 and the lifting of travel warnings against Zimbabwe by some of the country's major source markets such as Japan, USA and Germany contributed to the increase in tourist arrivals,'' the agency noted in a statement.

Focusing on tourism development key to prosperity

THE Patriotic Front (PF) Government has recorded notable successes in the tourism sector during its first 90 days of being in office.

One of the major achievements over the last three months was when Zambia and Zimbabwe won a bid to co-host the 186 member United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in 2013.

This was during the 19th Session of the UNWTO general assembly which was held in South Korea from 8th -14th October 2011.

Delegates worldwide unanimously agreed that Zambia and Zimbabwe co-host this important World event in 2013 in Livingstone and Victoria Falls town.

Tourism and Information Minister Given Lubinda led the Zambian delegation during the meeting in South Korea where Zambia and Zimbabwe won a bid to co-host the UNWTO general assembly.

The general assembly is the principal gathering of the UNWTO which meets after every two years to consider the budget and programme of work of the United Nations specialised agency on tourism.

Delegates to the general assembly are drawn from the six regional commissions of the UNWTO from Africa, the Americas, the East and Pacific Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.

The event usually attracts 186 ministers responsible for tourism as well as media personnel and tourism stakeholders from various countries internationally thereby raising the profiles of hosting countries worldwide.

Another important achievement over the last three months is that the PF Government has provided K21.1 billion for tourism marketing and promotion as well as K15.0 billion to recapitalise Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) in next year’s budget.

The funding will go a long way in recapitalising ZAWA as well as in boosting the marketing of Zambian tourism locally and abroad.

Further, several companies and organisations including those in the hospitality industry in Zambia have improved their conditions of service for their workers over the last three weeks following President Michael Sata’s insistence for institutions to improve their conditions of service for their workers.

Southern Tourism, Agriculture and Commercial Show Society (STACSS) chairperson Fredrick Mwendapole said the PF Government had laid a solid foundation for the growth of the tourism sector during its 90 days in office.

Mr Mwendapole, who is vice-president of the Institute of Directors for Southern Region and Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) member, said the recent winning of a bid to co-host the UNWTO general assembly was not a small achievement but something through which the country would benefit a lot in terms of marketing tourism products abroad.

"There were so many countries which bid for the hosting of the UNWTO general assembly but Zambia and Zimbabwe won the bid.

This is a major achievement under the PF Government as prospects of taking the country to higher heights are very high," he said.

Mr Mwendapole advised Zambians against thinking that the PF Government could achieve everything in 90 days as its mandate was five years which was still running.

He said the successful bid to co-host the UNWTO general assembly seemed to be the best gift for the PF Government under the leadership of President Michael Sata and the country as a whole.

Mr Mwendapole commended the Zambian Tourism Minister Mr Lubinda and his Zimbabwe counterpart for putting up an effective bid that saw the two countries win the bid.

"We now look forward to participate fully and take advantage of working together with our counterpart, our neighbour Zimbabwe,’’ he said.

As for the tour operators, let us not be very greedy as the Government starts working on the reduction of the cost of doing business. The same benefit should be passed on to the consumers of the services we provide," Mr Mwendapole said.

He said in doing so, operators would remain competitive to neighbours and increase traffic into Zambia which was key.

Mr Mwendapole also noted that PF Government’s decision to increase its funding to the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) in next year’s budget would boost the marketing of Zambian tourism products locally and abroad.

He said Zambia should emulate countries such as Kenya, Mauritius and South Africa in promoting local tourism.

"As you may be aware, ZTB recently conducted a road show on the Copperbelt to promote domestic tourism.

This is important because apart from focusing on foreign tourists, we need to focus on local tourism," he said.

Mr Mwendapole was also impressed that companies especially those in the hospitality industry had improved their conditions of service for their workers over the last three months of PF’s 90 days in office.

"Out of President Sata’s pronouncements on the labour market, a lot of companies are now trying to adhere to labour rules by paying decent wages to their workers.

Even street vendors are also excited because the President has directed that vendors should not be chased from the streets," Mr Mwendapole said.

He said the concept of more money in the pocket should not be misunderstood as it merely meant that the Government would put favourable policies for the local people to increase their capacity to do their businesses.

Mr Mwendapole said there was need for the Government and the private sector to work together to foster development in the country.

"Things have started improving in the country and what we need to do as Zambians is to support the PF Government because Government alone can’t do everything for us.

We need to have confidence in the Government and in whatever has been done over the last three years," he said.

The Catholic Diocese of Livingstone asked Zambians to give PF Government more time to implement its campaign promises following the elapse of the 90 days in office.

Diocesan secretary Clifford Mulasikwanda said more time was needed for the PF Government to implement the rest of the campaign promises which were not implemented in its 90 days of being in office.

Father Mulasikwanda said the people of Zambia looked to the new Government to implement its election promises adding that some of the campaign promises had already been implemented.

Zimbabwe to host UN world tourism event

ZIMBABWE and Zambia have won the bid to co-host the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly  in Victoria Falls.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi’s (pictured) dream of hosting such an event came true. He made the pledge in 2009, three months into his current role, that he wanted to see such a landmark event hosted in the country.

He also said he wanted to see Zimbabwe “join the family of nations” by hosting the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in Victoria Falls in 2012, among other notable events.

This dream has now come to fruition.

The victory makes it the second time for Africa to host the event after Senegal did so in 2005.

The proclamation by UNWTO secretary general Talib Rifai yesterday morning came a day after he declared that the Zimbabwe/Zambia bid was the only serious, complete and comprehensive one, beating bids submitted by powerhouses like Russia, Turkey, Jordan and Qatar.

“Since Zimbabwe and Zambia deposited their bid with us at our headquarters in Madrid, Spain, about two months ago, we were very worried and we studied it carefully. After three or four days, we realised that the bid was complete, comprehensive and serious.

“It was a good job well done and well explained. There was no question of any sort that was not answered.

“Throughout this 19th Session of the UNWTO here in South Korea, I tried by all means to refrain myself from announcing the Zimbabwe/Zambia win, since even my own country of origin, Jordan was bidding.

“So this bid has gone to Africa. It is gone to Zambia and Zimbabwe. I am personally eagerly awaiting the opportunity to be at the Victoria Falls for the UNWTO. Zimbabwe and Zambia become the second hosts in Africa to win the bid after Senegal in 2005.

“Therefore, Senegal should help Zimbabwe and Zambia organise the event to international standards,” said Mr Rifai at the close of the UNWTO assembly, here.

The Zimbabwean delegation, led by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Karikoga Kaseke, celebrated with their Zambian counterparts led by Tourism and Information Minister Given Lubinda.

Added Rifai : “UNWTO is the only UN organ that holds its general assembly away from its headquarters in Madrid, Spain. I am aware that the general assembly creates jobs, endorses brands and brings people together through wider networking.”

Co-hosting Ministers Mzembi and Lubinda, said they will immediately inform their principals back home of the victory and work should start immediately to ensure the hosting becomes a success.

“We take this opportunity to invite the UNWTO secretariat, member states and affiliate members and others with experience in hosting the UNWTO General assembly and other similar events to provide technical and other assistance to our two governments and to our joint planning teams preparing for the 20th UNWTO General Assembly.

“We will immediately proceed to brief our principals in detail and embark on the way forward on the hosting of the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly.

“We also take this opportunity to welcome all member countries of the UNWTO to the mighty Victoria Falls in 2013. We promise them a uniquely African 20th session,” said the two ministers in a communiqué.

Minister Mzembi said: “Zimbabwe is a comeback kid and has modest and peaceful people. We are governing by consensus.

“We are dealing with our political problems from within and are happy about our progress. We are communicating a message of peace and tranquility.

“Zimbabwe and Zambia will be waiting to host you. Come and we will show you your new home. This is the real Africa and African hospitality. Nothing beats what we will show you.”

Secretary for Tourism and Hospitality Industry Dr Sylvester Maunganidze and Zimbabwe Immigration boss Clemence Masango are among dignitaries.

The bid will bring 176 countries to Victoria Falls, the largest world gathering of countries in Zimbabwe since the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting held in the resort town, about two decades ago.

The hosting will be the biggest endorser of the new brand, Zimbabwe a World of Wonders and a serious enabler of the tourism and hospitality industries.

Amid a roaring rainbow: viewing the impressive Victoria Falls

Livingstone/Victoria Falls - The merchants outside the park are selling rain capes, even though there's not a cloud in the sky.
The forest is a deep green and a hot sun is brightly beating down. Nothing is moving and the landscape is flat. And this is where there's supposed to be a gigantic waterfall?
There is very little to indicate that, barely a stone's throw away, there is a 108-metre-deep gorge, through which the waters of the 1,700-metre-wide Zambesi River will go plunging down. The only giveaway is a roaring noise.
Just one further turn in the road - and suddenly, the trees give way to reveal a view of the mighty Victoria Falls.
Beyond the barrier, the river plunges over the edge. The walls of the gorge fall away vertically and yet they are overgrown with lush vegetation. Both sides of the gorge are connected by the spectral colours of a rainbow. Depending on the angle of the light, there might even be two rainbows there together.
Whether it is the backpack traveller or the package tourist, what brings them here to the centre of southern Africa, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is a setting which could be the model for a romantic painting.
It was Scottish explorer David Livingstone, the first European to discover the falls in the year 1855, who spoke of the most marvellous view that Africa had ever offered him.
The sunlight is broken up virtually everywhere by the water's spray and converted into a rainbow. In order to view this spectacle, it is worth trying out different angles - one of them being a bird's-eye view.
The ultra-light airplane, actually just a motorised paraglider, lifts off from the runway, its steering controlled by a joystick. The pilot says he used to fly combat planes for the Zimbabwean army. Now, he flies tourists up over the waterfalls.
Some 200 metres below one's feet flows the Zambesi River. It separates Zambia from Zimbabwe and, at the Victoria Falls, slices deeply into the land. From the air, one can see the gigantic ledge of the falls all at once.
The light plane sails back over the Zambian national park Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means 'thundering smoke.' Close to the shore, elephants are grazing in the afternoon light. From the air they are hard to make out, but the silhouette of a crocodile, by contrast, is clearly to be seen in the river bed.
Then the plane lands again on the bumpy runway, located not far away from Livingstone on the Zambia side of the waterfalls. Most of the organized excursions start here. In the city, there are numerous banks and lodgings -- the good infrastructure is what attracts people.
In the Seven-Eleven in Victoria Falls Town, across the border in Zimbabwe, the offering of goods is more sparse. But the town's tourism sector has been able to recover somewhat after the political crisis of 2008.
Here and there, concealed behind the bushes on the edge of town, there are a few upmarket lodges. But there are scarcely any people to be seen on the streets. With a one-day visa for trips across the border, it is above all worthwhile to visit the national park in Zimbabwe.
In order to get over to the other side, moving from 'Zam' to 'Zim', the route leads across the Victoria Falls Bridge, 128 metres above the river. A few hundred metres back is the entrance to Victoria Falls National Park.
The air, always moist so close to the falls, helps a tropical rainforest to thrive here. The trail to the notorious Danger Point leads out of the forest and onto a field. A warning sign alerts walkers to the slippery stones along the way to the lookout point which is located directly next to the gorge.

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.

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is the destination of choice at the natural world wonder!

Zimbabwe’s most innovative and marvelous resort, the fabulous Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is the destination of choice at the natural world wonder of the Victoria Falls.

Just four kilometres from the Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge sits high on a plateau bordering the Zambezi National Park. A complimentary shuttle service transports guests to the Victoria Falls rainforest, markets and town centre on an hourly basis throughout the day.

Winner of the Zimbabwe Institute of Architects design award on opening, the lodge is created to give the impression of an open-plan tree-house, built on seven levels rising above the gusu bushveld and offering guests views of brilliant sunsets.

The resort’s focal feature is a centrally located waterhole which attracts wildlife all year round.

Winner of the Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents (AZTA) award for Best Safari Lodge every year since 1996, and boasting two of the country’s top restaurants, The Boma Place of Eating and the deluxe la carte restaurant MaKuwa-Kuwa, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a Zimbabwean icon.

The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is the flagship property of the regional hospitality group, Africa Albida Tourism.

Explore South Africa or take cheap flights to Zimbabwe, Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Maputo. For booking and inquires please send us email on accounts@flightsmaster.co.uk and visit our website http://www.cheapzimbabweflights.com/ or you can call by 24/7 on our telephone number +44 207 993 6219.

Japan earthquake hits Victoria Falls tourism..

Victoria Falls has experienced 100 % cancellations of tours by Japanese visitors in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami which killed thousands of people, tour operators said.

Shearwater Adventures, one of the biggest tour operators in Victoria Falls, said Asian visitors were a critical market since tourism from western countries almost dried up over the last decade.

“Events in Japan have really left a big void in our market,” said Shearwater’s public relations officer Clement Mukwasi. “In the past four days, we have been cancelling bookings from travel agents who had booked the groups. On Monday alone we were supposed to handle 50 clients.

“At the moment we cannot approximate recovery because we don’t know when exactly the citizens will be able to start travelling.”

Mukwasi said most of their Asian visitors were from Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan.

“Between now and August, the Japanese market was going to provide more clients than other markets into Zimbabwe,” he added. “We will continue to explore other markets to fill the void.”

Forward Mutero, the marketing executive at Khanondo Safaris, also said they had suffered a sharp dip in visitors from the Far East.

“Definitely, arrivals from Japan have been affected. It was an unfortunate act of God which no one could avoid and the Japanese will only start travelling after sorting out the emotional, physical and economic situation in their country,” he said.

Mutero said the inability of the Japanese people to move within their country as a result of infrastructure destruction ensured that even those who want to take a break to Africa are unable to do so.

Official figures say 6,000 people are dead or missing, but emergency services warn this may rise up to 20,000.

Plans to enlarge Victoria Falls International airport !

Government is negotiating a deal with China Exim Bank that will see the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) getting funding to embark on the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport before the end of the year.

 The move by CAAZ to embark on an expansion and refurbishment of the country`s airports which is currently under way, is expected to see the newly-refurbished facilities increase their passenger handling capacities, as well as handling bigger and wide-bodied aircrafts such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A340.

 Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe General Manager, Mr. David Chawota, said once funding has been unveiled, his organization will immediately start the expansion project, adding that the Civil Aviation Authority will be completing the taxiway and runway at Harare International Airport in April and December respectively, while Joshua Mqabuko International Airport in Bulawayo will be operational by Independence Day next month.

 Victoria Falls International Airport mainly handles commercial flights operated on Boeing 737 and smaller aircrafts by Air Namibia, the national Air Zimbabwe, British Airways–Comair and South African Airways.

If you want to Book flights to Victoria falls, both direct and indirect and experience the charm of this magical city. For more information regarding booking cheap flights to Victoria falls you can call our 24/7 reservation experts on 02079936219 or visit our website: http://www.cheapzimbabweflights.com

An excellent travel companion By Paul Murray

Let’s face it: when you think of Zimbabwe you don’t think of a cheerful tourist paradise or of sipping cocktails while admiring the sun go down over Victoria Falls. No, when you think of Zimbabwe you think of more sinister images: famine, bloody forced removals and, of course, Bob Mugabe.

This is what makes Paul Murray’s offering so special: it turns these perceptions on their heads. Beginning with an apology for not being as detailed as other Bradt guides because of the political unrest and the author’s unwillingness to compromise on the safety of himself and his crew and peppered with interesting tit-bits like the fact that it is illegal to wear clothes with a camouflage print, it is a well-researched guide with the passion of the author coming through on every page.

It touches on other attractions the country has to offer aside from Victoria Falls, Matobo National park and Lake Kariba.

What also make this guide a good investment is its use of the explanation of the country’s history to shed light on its current situation.

All in all, it’s insightful and practical and would be an excellent companion on any road trip north. – Daily News

Million dollar shopping mall for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe!

Developers of a shopping mall in Victoria Falls have invited businesses to forward their input into the building of the structure which they say would take shopping to a new level in Zimbabwe’s premier resort town.

The Mosi-oa-Tunya Gateway Shopping Mall, that will accommodate shops of all sizes, is being developed by Calwood Investments Private Limited, through their project managers, Knight Frank, who have invited prospective tenants to indicate their interest.
Knight Frank managing partner in Bulawayo, Oswald Nyakunika, said the shopping mall would be located at the intersection of Livingstone Way and Kazungula Road at the entrance to Victoria Falls town.

“The development will be highly visible and abutting these major roads from Kazungula, Bulawayo and the airport into town,” Nyakunika said. He said with store sizes ranging from 40 square metres to 1 800 square metres, the shopping mall would accommodate a full complement of shops from pharmacies to banks, to restaurants, clothing stores, hardware and electrical appliances shops.

“Customers will also have access to curio and art wares, medical suites, tour operators and travel agents, as well as an Internet café,” he said.

The largest shop will be approximately 1 800 square metres and can accommodate a large retail warehouse, a wholesale cash and carry, superstore or large supermarket.

The mall is expected to service Victoria Falls and the nearby towns of Hwange and Lupane, as well as Livingstone in Zambia, Kasane in Botswana and Kazungula at the borders of Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

The estate agent expert said amenities would include ample parking in a secure environment, tastefully designed street furniture, vendor stalls and shopping benches.

“The shopping mall is expected to be a blue tooth and Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing patrons to be in touch with the centre events and surf the web free of charge,” said Nyakunika. He said what makes the town attractive is that it is the centre of attraction in a vast tourist region that straddles across the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.