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Borders re-opening now paying off for Victoria Falls hotels

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Hotels in Victoria Falls have started registering an uptick in bookings after the government opened the borders close to the resort city to tourists that have taken the Covid-19 vaccine.

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The government recently re-opened Kazungula and Victoria Falls land borders for the first time since the beginning of the year following a Covid-19 vaccination blitz targeting the country’s prime resort city.

Although the Victoria Falls International Airport has remained open for international tourists, the closure of land borders had resulted in a huge drop in arrivals.

Anald Musonza, Hotels Association of Zimbabwe’s chairperson for the Matabeleland North chapter, said hotels had started to see an increase in reservations and inquiries.

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“We have seen some improvements over the last seven days, and we are grateful as hoteliers for this decision by the government because it allows us to increase the use of our tourist products,” Musonza said.

“These inquiries that they are making give us some hope that in the end hoteliers will be able to resume and employment will be created again.

“According to our estimated figures, 50 per cent of the association workers lost their jobs, and these were our skilled and long serving people and that’s devastating.

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“The other 50 percent were people, who went on unpaid leave while others are working reduced hours as low as two hours per day, instead of the normal eight.

“So our hope is that these normal shifts will be retained and even our procuring suppliers will also be able to resume so this decision is to an advantage to a chain of businesses normal.”

Musonza said the opening of land borders would give tourists the opportunity to sample tourism products at cheaper costs.

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“Tourism on land makes it easier for our guests, who prefer connecting from Zambia in Livingstone to here in Victoria Falls and Botswana in Kasane and it also allows them to explore and connect the three countries in a way that’s affordable too,” he said.

There is no mandatory quarantine for tourists arriving in Zimbabwe, except for travellers arriving or transiting through India, the government said on June 29.

All other Zimbabwe land borders remain closed, except for transportation of goods and for returning residents.

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Restaurants in Victoria Falls have also been re-opened for eat-in service under strict adherence to Covid-19 regulations.

Musonza said hoteliers were closely monitored by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to ensure they adhere to World Health Organisation regulations to control the spread of Covid-19 such as maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask in public and practicing personal hygiene.

According to the ZTA, the country lost about US$ 1.6 billion worth of revenue in 2020 alone after international travel was curtailed to curb the spread of Covid-19.

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Conservation amid crisis: How VFWT adapted to 2024 drought

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT) has released its 2024 Impact Report, detailing a year marked by unprecedented challenges due to severe drought conditions across Zimbabwe and much of Southern Africa. The report highlights the organization’s strategic adaptations to support local wildlife and communities during one of the most difficult drought years on record.

Unlike previous droughts where water scarcity was the primary concern, this year underscored a more complex reality. VFWT Chairperson Bruno De Leo emphasized that the lack of grazing for both wildlife and livestock emerged as an even greater threat. Animals had to venture farther for food, increasing the potential for human-wildlife conflict and competition for dwindling resources. De Leo noted, “The year 2024 underscored the importance of connectivity for wildlife and the need to maintain corridors that allow movement and relieve pressure on natural resources.”

In response to these challenges, VFWT implemented several proactive measures. Collaborating with the rural communities involved in its Herding 4 Hope project, VFWT facilitated early livestock sales to minimize losses and planned for dry-season grazing in more distant areas to conserve energy among livestock. The organization also focused on regenerating boreholes to ensure that villages without adequate water had access to crucial resources.

Notably, VFWT’s Wildlife Disease & Forensics Laboratory made significant strides, establishing itself as a key player in wildlife forensics. In 2024, the laboratory handled over 280 cases and engaged in crucial research on transboundary animal diseases affecting regional wildlife. The lab successfully validated targeted sequencing for species identification using new technologies, reinforcing its capabilities in addressing wildlife crime. Remarkably, the lab played an integral role in international ivory seizure investigations and developed a genetic panel for black rhinos, demonstrating a strong commitment to combatting poaching and ensuring species protection.

A particularly significant initiative was the launch of a tuberculosis surveillance project for lions within Hwange National Park. Following confirmed deaths from the disease, this project seeks to assess its prevalence among the lion population and understand transmission dynamics. With nine lions set to be sampled in late 2025, the data gathered will contribute to vital conservation knowledge.

The report emphasizes the importance of continued support from donors and stakeholders, enabling VFWT to maintain healthy animal populations and develop sustainable solutions for the future of biodiversity in the region. In a challenging year, the dedication and adaptability of the VFWT team stood out, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community engagement.

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ZTA gears up for tourism month with significant expo in Mutare

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is poised for a vibrant September as it kicks off Tourism Month activities, highlighted by the highly anticipated Sanganai/Hlanganani Kumbanayi Tourism Expo in Mutare.

This year’s event set for the 10th to the 12th of this month is set to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings and foster investment opportunities.

At a press conference held today in Harare and shared by the ZTA on X, Barbara Rwodzi, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, expressed optimism regarding this year’s edition, asserting that it will be a “resounding success.”

The Expo features a robust lineup of activities, attracting participation from 83 international buyers from key source markets, 11 local buyers, and a total of 411 registered exhibitors.

Minister Rwodzi emphasized the ongoing infrastructure upgrades in Manicaland, which include improved road conditions, the refurbishment of the Grand Reef Aerodrome, daily flights operated by Air Zimbabwe, and a luxury train service connecting Harare and Mutare. These enhancements are anticipated to stimulate job creation and promote long-term economic growth.

Joined by Deputy Minister, Tongai Mnangagwa, Rwodzi acknowledged the role of the media in amplifying the visibility of the Expo and urged for continued coverage to maximize outreach.

In addition to the Expo, Tourism Month will feature a Tourism Symposium, various sports tourism activities, including a marathon, and celebrations for World Tourism Day, marking September as a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.

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Cabinet approves review of tourism levies, licenses and fees

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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

 

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