GAUTENG, South Africa’s economic hub, has welcomed the commencement of flights into the country by Zambia Airways. The first flight touched down at the O.R Tambo International in Johannesburg on Thursday amid fanfare, as the aircraft was welcomed with the traditional water cannon salute. It will service the Lusaka-Johannesburg route with flights running twicedaily. Gauteng Air Access, in collaboration with the Gauteng Tourism Authority(GTA), has been working closely with Zambia Airways to make this route areality. “Now, we’re ready to…

Zhang Jiliang and Wang Youliang, two villagers from Baoxing County, Ya’an City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, came close to wild giant pandas on 12 May while working in the virgin forest at an altitude of 2,700 metres above the sea level in Liangzigou, the source of the Qingyi River.  “The giant panda drank river water for three full minutes before walking towards the direction we were hiding,” Zhang said. In order not to affect the giant pandas, they took the…

CLIMATE change, leading to reduced water levels, illegal fishing and poor methods are putting under threat the lives and livelihoods of fishers dependant on the Lake Kariba. Artisinal fishermen in the Siavonga district, south of Zambia, lamented the setbacks amid poor fish harvests. “Our source of livelihood as artisanal fishermen is under threat due to the diminishing water levels in Lake Kariba,” said Edward Kombe of Matinangala area. He depends on fishing to provide for his wife and three children.…

BECAUSE of its magnificence and its teeming wildlife as well as clear, mesmerising blue waters and cultural heritage, Kariba has vast potential to be a tourist hub in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc. Also boasting the largest man-made dam in the world, the northern Zimbabwean town has the capacity to match the more famous Victoria Falls if properly marketed. Thus, the Zimbabwean government is intensifying efforts to revive the city as a prime tourist destination. When tourism…

THE expansion and frequency of routes by international airlines into Zimbabwe is a boost to the country’s Open Skies policy. Nunurai Ndawana, Fastjet Zimbabwe spokesperson, said the new routes area testament to the airline’s commitment to the growth of tourism and the sustainability of air services in the markets. These planned additional routes to the airline’s domestic network will offer seamless connections for travelers from Harare and Victoria Falls to Zimbabwe’s top domestic tourism destinations of Kariba and Hwange, with…

THIS pastime found to be popular in the world-famous Bali island of Indonesia is inspiring the growth of quad biking in the Zimbabwean resort town of Kariba. It has come in handy as stakeholders in devising strategies to diversify tourism offering in this northern Zimbabwean town. Kariba Quad Bike Adventures is the brainchild of Jacob Parichi (39), after he realised a gap in the local tourism space. In an interview, he mentioned how the idea drew inspiration from Bali. “I…

SANDTON City, Africa’s leading retail and lifestyle destination, has been nominated for a prestigiousinternational industry award. The nomination for the MAXI Award adds to the already impressiverepertoire of endorsements and accolades received by the South African city. The International Council of Shopping Centres runs the awards. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Las Vegas later this month. Toyland Factory, the centre’s festive season 2021 campaign, conceptualised and executed by Excellerate Brand Management (EBM), Sandton City’s strategic property marketing…

THE World Tourism Organisation (WTO) has welcomed the end of the public health emergency phase for COVID-197. WTO believes this recent announcement represents a major milestone in the global effort to combat the virus. “We welcome WHO’s decision to end the emergency status for COVID-19,” said WTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. WHO is an acronym for the World Health Organisation. “This is an important signal and a moment to stand back and reflect on how we can overcome challenges only in…

PLANS to build a convention centre to host international conferences in Siavonga have received a major boost after the local town council secured land for the construction. The facility would enhance the growth of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) which is a lucrative part of tourismacross the globe. “We need to build a big convention centre which can accommodate over 1 000 delegates,” Given Kwapu, the council chairperson, said. “Siavonga district has all it takes to host an…

MORE than US$56 million the Zimbabwean government has invested in the tourism industry in Mashonaland West province, post-pandemic appears to be money down the drain. This is much to the concern of authorities who are dissatisfied with the return of investment. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality, disclosed the government had invested over US$18,49 million in 2021 and in excess of $37,66 million in 2022 torevive the sector. That was at the height of the…