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AAT opens a wellness spa in Victoria Falls

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) group has opened Victoria Falls’ first purpose-built building, setting a new benchmark in health and wellness.

The facility which was officially opened on Wednesday will be open for both to the public and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate guests

AAT chief executive Ross Kennedy said the hospitality group was enthusiastic about the facility, and they are already planning to expand it to cater for other occasional events for private functions as well as yoga retreats, weddings and foodie events.

“Next year is looking very strong for the destination and our industry, so long may that continue … we are going to have the best November we’ve had since we opened our doors 30 years ago,” Kennedy said.

“I think that this destination and the tourism industry in this country is in for, quite possibly, the best three or four years that we have ever known in tourism in Zimbabwe,” he added.

Victoria Falls Safari Spa, located in indigenous woodland on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate, was built in response to growing demand for wellness travel, and it was hoped it would extend stays in the destination, Kennedy said.

The Spa features manicure and pedicure stations, a hair and make-up studio, relaxation rooms, a splash pool and café as well as three stand-alone treatment rooms.

It will be operated by a team of five therapists, offering a range of luxurious treatments including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures as well as hair and event make-up services, and uses all natural, plant-based Africology and Cashmere & Co. products.

“The African tented safari camp-style spa, in keeping with the rest of the hospitality group’s portfolio, uses bold, colourful, Ndebele design elements, and is located in a natural environment and furnished to portray the rich textures of Africa,” AAT said.

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Cabinet approves review of tourism levies, licenses and fees

Published

2 days ago

August 27, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Cabinet has approved a review of levies, licences, fees, and permits of tourism sector , aimed at streamlining the regulatory environment and enhancing competitiveness.

The announcement was made during Tuesday’s post-Cabinet briefing, attended by Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi.

The review, conducted through a consultative process, covered various subsectors, including accommodation, hospitality and catering, tour guides and operators, boating services, and vehicle rental services.

Previously, these subsectors were constrained by a complex regulatory environment, which the review aims to simplify by removing unjustifiable licences and permits, streamlining duplicative requirements, and reducing excessively high fees and levies.

Significantly, the review introduces a range of reductions, with some fees being cut by 25-50% and others scrapped off completely.

The reviewed instruments will undergo further refinement to ensure they fully support a competitive and thriving tourism industry.

This reform is part of the broader ease-of-doing-business agenda, designed to lower operational costs, enhance competitiveness, and drive sustainable growth in Zimbabwe’s economy.

The tourism sector is one of Zimbabwe’s key drivers of economic growth, and this development is expected to provide a significant boost to the industry.

Source: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

In the community

Hwange duo sentenced to 26 months for wildlife crimes

Published

2 days ago

August 27, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Two Hwange men have been sentenced to 26 months imprisonment for setting 49 wire snares, including 48 class one snares, in Sinamatela Game Park, resulting in the killing of one impala and two female kudus, with a total value of US$6 000 worth of dried game meat.

Lungisani Moyo (38) and Joel Nyathi (27), both from Madumabisa Village, were convicted of contravening the Trapping of Animal Control Act.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the state presented a case that the two unlawfully set the snares this month, resulting in the illegal killing of one impala and two female kudus.

The matter came to light after a joint patrol by police and Zim-Parks officers intercepted a man in the Lwendulu area carrying a suspicious black bag. Upon searching him, authorities recovered 12 bundles of dried game meat.

Upon probe, the man led officers to Moyo’s residence, where further illegal game products were discovered.

Subsequent searches at both Moyo and Nyathi’s homes yielded a total of 22 bundles of dried game meat, kudu hooves, intestines, and other animal parts.

Police investigations confirmed the use of wire snares to hunt the animals within protected parkland.

The total value of the poached wildlife is US$6 000.

Of the 26-month sentence, 10 months were suspended for five years, leaving the two to serve an effective 16 months imprisonment.