THE assurance last Friday by Vice-President Joice Mujuru that preparations for the long-awaited United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNTWO) General Assembly in Victoria Falls are on course must come as a relief to many because there were doubts that Zimbabwe would be able to host this global event.
Southern Eye Editorial
Victoria Falls will co-host the prime tourism event with the neighbouring Zambian resort town of Livingstone this month.
The hosting of the event could not have come at a better time for Zimbabwe, as the country is in the process of rebuilding its tourism industry that has suffered the brunt of political disputes of the past decade.
But more important are the legacy projects that would benefit the people of Victoria Falls long after the UNTWO delegates have returned to their countries.
Mujuru spoke about the country’s readiness to host the conference after a tour of the Victoria Falls Hospital and the Victoria Falls Marquée Convention Centre at the Elephant Hills — projects that have been implemented specifically for the event.
Besides the hospital, roads have been upgraded and the Victoria Falls International Airport received a major facelift.
Mujuru expressed confidence that all the projects would be complete by this week in time for the conference.
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There is also new hospitality infrastructure that will leave Victoria Falls a better tourist destination.
The conference also offers a great marketing opportunity for Zimbabwe’s hospitality sector as 189 countries are expected to be represented.
However, it is not just the physical infrastructure that must be readied for the UNTWO conference.
The government must also make sure that its agencies are ready to portray a positive image of Zimbabwe and the first port of call must be the Immigration Department. During the recently-held harmonised elections, a couple of foreign journalists were deported unnecessarily on arrival at the Harare International Airport and that soiled Zimbabwe’s image.
Our visitors must be treated with care because they are potential ambassadors for brand Zimbabwe.
