Tourism On The Rebound In Zimbabwe

By Shingirai Vambe

Victoria Falls- After suffering for almost two years due to Covid-19, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is now stepping up its recovery of international tourism, by accelerating and promoting activities to attract the huge numbers that once visited the country.

In the past 12 to 24 months Zimbabwe’s hospitality industry has started recording an increase of both local and foreign tourist as well as arrivals after flexibility adapting to the corona virus.
Due to this development, Eurowings Discover seized the opportunity to carry out a flight operation in the country’s main destination giant, the city of Victoria falls.

The airline delivered a A330 airbus that would be operating a three weekly direct connection from Frankfurt to Victoria Falls in this year.

The Luftansa group CEO, Wolfgang Raebiger who operated the first flight to Victoria Falls airport said they were proud to be the first intercontinental airline offering direct flights to Victoria Falls in 2022.

“It has never been easier for travelers from all over Europe to get to know this beautiful country, its culture and kindhearted people and of cause the stunning natural wonder, Victoria Falls,” said Raebiger.

The Airport Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) was part of the delegation that welcomed the Luftansa group in the country, together with the Minister of Environment, climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mangaliso Ndlovu accompanied by Germany Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Udo Volz.

The ACZ has taken the task of running all airports and aerodromes in Zimbabwe, was delighted to have this additional international passenger flight.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Tawanda Gusha expressed optimism at the work ACZ was doing across the country in revamping and face lifting all airports to meet international standards.

Many tourism facilities in the country have since spruced up, with renovations and services which are now guided by covid-19 regulations and in Bulawayo, all facilities are now fully booked ahead of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which is expected to run from the 26th to the 30th of April 2022.

As part of the activities found and experienced in Zimbabwe, a helicopter flights operated by MJ Air in partnership with Zimbabwe National Parks, was launched, being one among other players in Victoria Falls.

Many tourists are visiting the country from around the world and Victoria Falls remain the most visited destination in Zimbabwe. More players, flights and operators are expected to partner with the Tourism players, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and government.
Yesterday an innovation satellite hub was launched in Hwange, a tool which is holistically able to account for the performance of the tourism sector in any given economy.

Deputy Minister, Barbara Rwodzi officiated the event and said, “with the decline in tourist arrivals from 2019 to 2021 by 40% the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) report has availed critical information on the value of the tourism economy which should energies us to work hard in our pursuit to the sectorial target to reach a $5billion economy by 2025,” Rwodzi said.