THE city of Victoria Falls recorded brisk business during the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), creating employment in the accommodation, transport and security sectors during the hosting of more than 2 000 delegates.
The indaba took place from July 23 to 31.
In an interview with Southern Eye, the tourism city’s spokesperson Leonard Ncube said hotels were fully booked such that the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority had to ask residents in the city to offer their properties to cater for more accommodation.
“This has been a very busy two weeks. Hosting more than 2 000 delegates from 172 contracting parties was a huge milestone achievement,” Ncube said, adding that in terms of accommodation, hotels and lodgings were more than 100 % full.
“Some delegates ended up sharing accomodation,many residents had to convert their houses to cater for the numbers.
“Zimbabwe Tourism Authority had to ask those residents with alternative accommodation to come forward and submit documents of their properties for inspection in order to be converted into accommodation for the delegates.”
He said the transport sector also had a busy time such that some commuter omnibus operators and buses were contracted to carry delegates around different places during the course of the conference.
He said the wetland city’s certification was a recognition of the preservation of its vital wetland, namely the iconic Victoria Falls, a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the world’s most spectacular wonders.
- Tarakinyu, Mhandu triumph at Victoria Falls marathon
- Andrea The Vocalist, dreams big
- All set for the 2022 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon
- Econet Victoria Falls Marathon return a boon for tourism
Keep Reading
“This is an international recognition which puts Victoria Falls on the spotlight among other competing cities in southern Africa,” Ncube said.
“There are nine other cities named in China while Japan has several of them. The mayor is now also among the league of the wetlands mayo’s forum and the city has become the most attractive tourist destination.”
He mentioned that the accreditation is valid for two Ramsar cycle years, where he said each cycle is run for three years, meaning that Victoria Falls will run it for six years up to 2031, after which it would be reviewed and if the city is proven to have been jealously guarding against the violation of wetlands, it will continue enjoying the status.
