By Kudzanai Gerede
The government has partnered the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to finance efforts to increase air access to Victoria Falls, one of Africa's premier tourist destinations and support recovery and jobs in Zimbabwe's tourism sector.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group, which advances and
provides financing for private enterprise investments in developing countries.
Without furnishing further details on the figures involved,
IFC said, the delivery of the air access support is being led by transport
consultancy firm, CPCS Transcom Ltd, together with experts from Cape Town Air
Access, a project of Wesgro, the Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency
for South Africa's Western Cape.
"A strategic air service development effort is needed
to drive recovery from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and ensure longer-term
growth for Victoria Falls as a regional hub," said Engineer Theodius
Chinyanga, Permanent Secretary at Zimbabwe's Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructural Development.
The efforts are part of government of Zimbabwe's vision of
opening the country's airspace and attracting international airlines into the
country, mainly in its flagship tourist destination.
Last month, Mack Air successfully launched the Chobe
(Botswana) -Victoria Falls route also becoming the first airline to offer
international scheduled flights between Victoria Falls and Kasane.
It became the third airline landing at Victoria Falls
International Airport after Fastjet and Ethiopian Airways.
Before lockdown, Air Zimbabwe, British/ComAir, Air Namibia,
Kenyan Airlines, South African Airways and Air Link flew into the city.
"The time is right to expand our network to ensure the
destination can grow its position as a gateway to the country and the wider
region. This is in line with our strategic thrust of developing Victoria Falls
as a regional tourism hub," said Tawanda Gusha, Acting CEO for the
Airports Company of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's tourism market was adversely affected by the
economic downturn and negative perception since the turn of the millennium and
has struggled since, to recapture its glamour.
"With the right support, Victoria Falls can become a
truly competitive tourism entry point for the region. Establishing this
position in the market will help drive tourism through Zimbabwe and support
recovery and jobs," said Adamou Labara, IFC's Country Manager for
Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
This project is part of a broader, multi-year tourism
program between IFC and Zimbabwe called the Zimbabwe Destination Development
Program (ZDDP), designed to revitalize and increase the competitiveness of the
country's tourism industry.
Launched in January 2020, the donor- financed ZDDP is
sponsored by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality
Industry, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, IFC, and the
Government of Japan
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