The Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) says tourism has become the fastest growing industry in Zimbabwe.
Retosa said although the tourism industry was set back by the recent economic and political challenges, the Zimbabwean tourism sector remains resilient and tourist-friendly. It said the success of the recent constitutional referendum on March 16, 2013, is an indication that the country is ready for business with the international community.
"This could not have taken place at a time better than this as demand for the country's tourism products continues to grow," according to Retosa. As a co-host with Zambia of the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, Zimbabwe offers a large variety of tourist experiences.
It has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Southern Africa. Formerly known as Rhodesia until April 18, 1980, when the Republic of Zimbabwe was formally proclaimed, the country boasts the famous Victoria Falls, which it shares with Zambia, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, amazing wildlife and culture.
The Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site located on the Zambezi River and the host destination for the 2013 United Nations General Assembly, is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. "These, in fact, make Zimbabwe an invaluable tourism investment destination and the country is destined to take its position as one of the travel and tourism hubs of Southern Africa," the regional tourism organization added.
Among the developments around the Victoria Falls are resort hotels, lodges and adventure tourism facilities. With a great balance between rural and urban tourism investment opportunities, and as one of the progressive countries in Southern Africa in the field of wildlife management, Zimbabwe is now becoming an international hub for tourism investment.
There is an abundance of other investment opportunities in tourism infrastructure development and services - among these are general resort development, hotel development, safari lodges in Transfrontier Conservation Areas, airport upgrades and tourism infrastructure.
"The true wealth of the country's investment landscape is the talent and creativity of her labour force," Retosa said.
Zimbabwe borders Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique, which are all accessible via overland travel or by air.
Retosa is a legal entity of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) responsible for tourism growth and development.
The fifteen SADC/Retosa member countries are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Source : AllAfrica
