MECTHI and ZIDA host stakeholders workshop on Victoria Falls Planning and Development

Today the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) held the first of a series of workshops with stakeholders in Victoria Falls focused on the planning and development of Victoria Falls and the environs, supported by IFC under the Zimbabwe Destination Development Programme.

The workshop was held at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and included both public and private sector representatives, with a wider audience invited to participate online so as to ensure it was adhering to the COVID-19 regulations in regards to numbers present.

Earlier this year, a stakeholder survey was carried out by Freedthinkers an organisation specialising in the visioning and planning of developing destinations under the Zimbabwe Destination Development Programme. Today the results of the survey were presented showcasing a vision by both public and private sector to ensure Victoria Falls becomes Africa's Green centre of wilderness, leisure and adventure, and that the local communities derive benefits from its sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, the CEO of ZIDA, Douglas Munatsi commented that this was the first step in the realisation of the dream to have Victoria Falls as one of the best investment destinations in the region and indeed Africa. "This is the beginning of a journey which we can all be proud of and a journey where the economy must integrate with nature and not dominate it," said Douglas Munatsi.

The workshop ended off with the commitment that this process would continue to be a collaborative and unified approach to ensuring that the environmental integrity of Victoria Falls and its environs was maintained whilst pushing forward with sustainable development for the region.

For further information contact Silibaziso Chizwina on schizwina@zidainvest.com