By Daniel Chigundu
ZIMBABWE Tourism Authority (ZTA) has refuted claims that it is only concentrating on Victoria Falls in its tourism marketing strategies at the expense of other attraction sites dotted around the country.
However, the ZTA chief executive Dr Karikoga Kaseke rubbished the claims adding Victoria Falls is a self-selling destination by virtue of being a world wonder.
“It’s not true that we are concentrating on Victoria Falls, if it was so why didn’t we take all the Sanganai/Hlanganani buyers to Victoria Falls? But we took them all over the country that is how we have been approaching this country.
“Victoria Falls is no doubt, whether you like it or not Victoria Falls is iconic it’s not just a wonder, it’s a world wonder, so when everybody else is knowing there is Victoria Falls everyone would want to go to Victoria Falls we are not concentrating on Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls is concentrating on itself.
“It’s a self-selling destination, that is what you must understand it sells itself by virtue of being a world wonder and people who say we are concentrating on Victoria Falls don’t know I don’t agree with their thinking we are concentrating on Zimbabwe as a destination,” he said.
Dr Kaseke said they are putting every effort available to ensure tourism is spread across the country which will go a long way in ensuring that tourists stay in the country for longer periods.
“We are trying to do everything that we can do to make sure every destination is accessed and we want to spread geographic spread of tourism in this country.
“It’s important because once people come to Victoria Falls stay there one or two days then they go back, we don’t want them to spend two days we want them to spend more days so they must have other places to go so we are very conscious, very much aware and we are doing the best we can do,” he said.
Victoria Falls boasts of the majestic Victoria Falls which is the world’s largest water curtain, is one of the world’s seven wonders and is a designated UNESCO world heritage site.
Owing to its world status, the Victoria Falls draws many tourists from across the world into the resort town creating potential business for investors.
The falls are shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia and other countries such as South Africa usually sell in their tourism marketing strategies.
