US, Australia endorse Zim tourism brand

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
Australian and United States’ consuls met tour operators in Victoria and Hwange Falls where they reaffirmed their countries’ renewed support for Zimbabwe as a safe destination.

The US leads the arrivals in Victoria Falls and Hwange pack, commanding 35 percent while Australia is third after Japan.

Australia and US have an influence on other countries’ travellers because the world&rsquo is had by them; s travel companies who control tourism literally.

The Australian Embassy was represented by Ms Cathy Jenkins as the US was represented by Ms Amy Diaz in a gathering, which discussed several issues including security recently, fuel and health shortages.

Coming from the closed-door meeting in Victoria Falls, tour operator representatives said the consular officials had given Victoria Hwange and Falls destinations clean bills, adding that the destination hadn’t succumbed to cholera, that is affecting some places currently.

“We have been happy to meet up with the consuls with whom we’ve had collaboration for quite some time as this reaffirms commitment to aid our tourism and keep abreast using what is going on,” said Ms Yvonne Jandles, representing operators.

She said information regarding that which was happening on the floor was crucial instead of social media marketing reports that discredit destination. This season victoria Falls has experienced more arrivals.

“They met operators in Hwange aswell and also have given dedication they are very confident due to what’s been happening in Victoria Falls. The destination is booming right now as we are in our peak also it looks like it’ll continue, said Ms Jandles.

She said among the major issues developing was limited capacity due to room shortage in the country’s prime resort town where tourism players turn away clients since they will undoubtedly be full to capacity sometimes.

“We’ve come to the right time whenever we start turning away business. This is a good problem to possess but we wish in order to welcome people because as soon as you keep turning them away they’ll find other destinations rather than keep coming back, said Ms Jandles.

She said continued engagement reassures tourists, adding that so there have been cancellations because of cholera outbreak far. “We have been attempting to engage other embassies aswell through them. The main thing now could be the cholera outbreak as soon as things such as that enter the press we get yourself a large amount of cancellations. We’ve just emerge from elections and before this might have meant lack of business because folks are scared to visit but we have been glad that up to now we haven’t recorded cancellations,” she said.

“Agents keep looking into Victoria Falls and we have been glad to announce that there surely is no cholera and these embassies are fundamental to us since they clear or issue travel warnings that discourage tourists from travelling.”

Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe regional representative Mrs Barbara Murasiranwa said meeting both embassies put a seal that Zimbabwe is really a safe destination.

“That is encouraging because they shall add us with their itineraries even though they’re not arriving at Zimbabwe. We wish them to collaborate and distribute word that Zimbabwe is really a safe destination and encourage their citizens to go to,” he said.

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