TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC DEPARTURE ENTRANCES AT VICTORIA FALLS AIPORT

17 April 2013 until approximately mid-July

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe has announced the temporary closure of International and Domestic Departure entrances at Victoria Falls Airport due to construction work. The construction looks to create more space by extending entrance halls to the Terminal Building, with the project expected to be completed in time to host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly in August.

From 17 April the International Departure entrance will be temporarily closed until 01 May 2012, so passengers and clients are requested to enter the Terminal Building using the Domestic Departures entrance. Work will then move to the Domestic Departures Entrance after 01 May for the following two weeks, and passengers and clients are then requested to enter the Terminal Building using the International Departures Entrance.

Go to Victoria Falls looks forward to welcoming you to its vibrant hub and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

If you require any further information please contact Lesley Simpson Communications on 011 463 8195 or email kristly@lscpr.co.za

BRING IN THE NEW YEAR CARNIVAL STYLE

What better way to bring in the New Year than with a 3-day celebration with one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls, as the scenic backdrop. The Vic Falls Carnival from 29 – 31 December 2012 offers a dynamite programme of events and a killer line-up of local artists!

Highlights of the carnival include:

The Zambezi Lager Party Express VIP Party on the 29^th of December.  Board the Vic Falls Carnival Party Express in time for a spectacular sunset, dressed to the Carnival theme, and enjoy an unforgettable ride on board the Vic Falls Steam Train before disembarking at a secret concert location in the heart of the African Bushveld.

With one of the highest deforestation rates on the planet, help Greenpop make a difference to this exquisite UNESCO world heritage site with the “Day of 1000 Trees at Vic Falls Carnival”.  The Vic Falls Carnival and Greenpop are inspiring a greener tomorrow with a pledge to plant 1000 trees in a day.  Get your hands dirty in support of this worthy project.

Get into the Carnival spirit with the Vic Falls Beer Fest on 30 and 31 December.  Mill around the stalls and play carnival games all while sampling delicious African beers, absorbing great music and the summer sun. 

New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Carnival will see a host of Southern Africa’s best artists performing.  This fantastic line-up includes Zebra & Giraffe, The Graeme Watkins Project, Zahara, Plush, Jeremy Loops and Zimbabwe’s own Oliver Mtukudzi and Chicken Bus. 

For more information visit www.vicfallscarnival.com and get the best accommodation with the GoToVictoriaFalls.com members.  Visit www.gotovictoriafalls.com.

Victoria Falls Safari Club construction complete!

The stylish Victoria Falls Safari Club is open setting a new benchmark in luxury accommodation in Victoria Falls, a top choice tourist destination.

The lavish Club will blend the enchanting power of nature with modern comforts to create an exclusive atmosphere that is distinctly African.  Construction of this superb new addition to the Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) portfolio started in November 2011 and was completed two weeks ahead of schedule.

AAT Chairman Dave Glynn said, ‘We are absolutely thrilled with the way the project progressed. We are now looking forward to welcoming our first guests.’

The Safari Club team, led by Club Manager Claire Wright, is eager to receive the first guests and has been undergoing extensive training in preparation for the opening.

Remarked Ross Kennedy, AAT Chief Executive, ‘Hospitality projects such as these are notorious worldwide for running well over time and budget and thus tour operators and agents are always skeptical. For this project we have good news for them – a green light to book because we are ready!’

Kennedy added that interest in the Safari Club in the build-up to opening has been extremely encouraging with many international tour operators already featuring it in their 2013 brochures, with a number of USA, Australian and European Union operators requesting special launch packages to promote in their markets.

Through the use of local materials such as thatch, gum poles, stone and sand, the $2,7 million development has been in line with AAT’s policy to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint. During the construction of the new Club wing several trees were trans-located into a nursery and are now being replanted. In addition, contractors were strictly controlled to prevent them from trampling haphazardly over the fragile and precious environment.

Contractor Dale Kiggen commented that it had been an honour to work on the Safari Club project and he was confident that the Safari Club would soon become the number one address in Victoria Falls.

Located adjacent to the award-winning Victoria FallsSafari Lodge, the flagship property of AAT, the Safari Club will boast rooms that are 50% larger than those at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, giving a sense of abundant space. The exclusive club ethos will be reflected in such features as butler service, private check-in and check-out and a multi-functional area that includes a bar, lounge and terrace.

Victoria Falls is gearing up for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in late August 2013 that is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from around the world.

UNWTO 2013 CONFERENCE AND RESULTING DEVELOPMENT IN VIC FALLS - SET TO BENEFIT ALL

It is becoming very evident that Victoria Falls is the town that both leisure and business travellers are talking about and it is certainly one of the top destinations in Southern Africa at the moment. Victoria Falls experienced the highest number of visitors in several years in 2011 and it looks like 2012 is shaping up to be an even better year for the tourist town. After a decade of low arrivals, Zimbabwe is seeing a huge growth in tourists to the country and the famous Victoria Falls is most certainly seeing this obvious increase in interest.

But why is this town in land locked Zimbabwe such a popular destination? Other than the obvious spectacular Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) it is also the adventure capital of Africa, continually offering new and exciting activities. Furthermore, it is situated in the centre of a number of world class national parks in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia, meaning it is increasingly obvious that the tourist town is the ideal destination for travellers to pass through for a few days, before moving on to explore the surrounding areas.

However, the increase in arrivals that industry players are now preparing for can be attributed to a number of other positive factors.

The Victoria Falls Airport is being modernised and enlarged and a number of international airlines are discussing possible flights into Zimbabwe and the town itself. This is in addition to the recent commencement of Emirates flights into Harare from Dubai, via Lusaka. South African Airways has also dramatically increased its capacity to Zimbabwe by 66%, while Air Namibia has launched a four-times a week schedule from Windhoek to Harare.

The new Victoria Falls Safari Club

Meanwhile the town has become the destination of choice for conferences with the African Travel Association (ATA) hosting their 37^th world congress from 18 – 22 May this year, which saw 500 delegates descend upon the town. This is just the preview to what is expected in 2013, when the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly is hosted in both Victoria Falls and Livingstone, with an estimated 3000 delegates from 158 countries expected to attend.

The General Assembly can only mean positive things for the town and Go to Victoria Falls members are extremely excited about how it will impact arrivals into the town.

Roddy Meiring, General Manager of Ilala Lodge says “It’s a unique opportunity which will further develop the town, once again proving that Zimbabwe is back on the map and a safe place to visit”.

Trish Mambinge, General Manager of Sales and Marketing for Shearwater Victoria Falls, added that “UNWTO means we shall see more arrivals next year, meaning we will take on more pax on our activities, gaining increased experience and revenue”.

Meanwhile the new luxury Victoria Falls Safari Club 20-room wing at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge looks set to be THE showcase accommodation at next year's assembly. This exclusive facility, including four majestic suites, will open in August this year, a year ahead of the global summit, and construction is well underway. 

Furthermore, the government is planning to build a new conference centre as preparation, which will not only go a long way in accommodating the few thousand delegates in 2013, but will also cement Victoria Falls’ reputation as a world class conferencing destination.

So with a number of exciting new developments for the town, as well as a more positive attitude towards Zimbabwe as a whole, it’s no wonder the Go to Victoria Falls members are expecting occupancies in 2012 and 2013 to surge, and for the increased interest to result in even further infrastructural developments.

NEW SPONSORS FOR VICTORIA FALLS ANTI-POACHING UNIT

victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) is thrilled to have new sponsors on board following a recent trip by Travellers Choice Gold Family Group (Africa Safari Co) to Victoria Falls.

The group from Australia met with Charles Brightman, head of VFAPU at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge in March, to find out more about what the Unit is doing to help combat poaching in the area. Having been impressed by the efforts of the organisation, five of the Travel Agencies in the Gold Choice Group have committed to a once off sponsorship of a Scout. Bay Travel Services, City Beach Travel & Cruise, Jayes Travel, Jamison Travel and Stodarts Travel & Cruise, have joined together in donating US$ 3420.00 to the cause.

“It was enlightening to learn of the fabulous work being done by Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit” remarked Sue Fessey, Managing Director of Stodarts Travel & Cruise, following her meeting with  Charles Brightman.

VFAPU is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and its natural habitat. The unit protects the wildlife and habitat of the beautiful Victoria Falls area from subsistence and commercial poachers. It also rescues and rehabilitates animals injured by human interference, provides employment for ex-poachers giving them a sustainable income, and educates children at an early age through school and community awareness programs.

 “It is amazing to have donations such as these as it takes some of the pressure off and means that VFAPU gets to live longer”, said a truly delighted Brightman, following news of the generous donation.

Foreign Advisories with regards to Typhoid

There have been a number of warnings released by the Travel Advisories in various countries, including the USA and UK about a typhoid outbreak in Zimbabwe. The US has recommended no “non-essential” travel to Zimbabwe, while the United Kingdom is recommending no travel at all. This has caused a lot of concern for travellers visiting Zimbabwe from these countries.

It should be noted that while there has been a typhoid breakout in the high density suburbs of Harare, this area is 900km away and therefore not a threat to visitors to Victoria Falls.

Foreign Governments are obliged to report on the safety and security matters within each specific country, according to information released by government and the media about that particular country.

In saying this, visitors should always take the necessary precautions and immunisations, as advised by their doctor when visiting Zimbabwe. The best form of protection against mosquitoes and malaria is having a malaria prophylaxis treatment, using repellent and wearing long sleeved clothing in the evenings.

With regard to the Typhoid issue, guests are advised to take the necessary immunization against typhoid as well as follow caution by drinking bottled water, and avoiding eating unwashed fruits and vegetables. Since Victoria Falls is far away from the area where the problem has arised, we do not foresee this being an issue at all for visitors to the town. It is not a 100% guarantee, but if precautions are taken it is very unlikely it will be a problem.

The general feeling by members of the tourism industry in Zimbabwe is that the apprehension is both unjustified and unrealistic.

UNWTO PLEASED WITH PREPARATIONS FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

A team from The United Nations World Tourism Organisation visited Victoria Falls this week, and we are pleased to announce that so far they are extremely satisfied with the preparations for next year’s general assembly. Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone (Zambia) will be hosting the 2013 UNWTO general assembly and the two countries are very much on track to host the event.

The visiting team also noted that they were inspired by the unity of purpose between the two host nations, and mentioned that they only needed to smoothen their transport system for inter-venue traffic

The visiting team from UNTWO included executive director Zoltan Somogyi, Deputy Director for Africa Mr Helder Thomas and programmes officer Mrs Pearl Blanca. The delegation has advised that they are confident that next year’s general assembly will be an extremely memorable one.

The Zimbabwean government has plans to build a new conference centre as preparation for the assembly. There are also plans to upgrade the Victoria Falls airport. Both projects, together with a number of other upgrades in the area will go a long way in helping to accommodate the expected 3000 visitors from 176 countries.

The towns of Victoria Falls and Livingstone are both sure to see a massive boost in tourism as a result of hosting this prestigious event.