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Oliver Kazunga

THE multi-million dollar hotel being built in Beitbridge

Victoria Falls Reporter

THE country lost 19 rhinos valued at millions of  dollars to poachers last year, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said.

Harare Bureau

GOVERNMENT says it is satisfied with the country's state of preparedness to host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly next year.

Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi yesterday said the preparations were going on well.

He said some UNWTO inspectors were expected in the country in January next year to assess the progress.

“So far so good, we are comfortable with the progress in terms of preparing for the general assembly meeting,” said Minister Mzembi.

“We are doing well, but of course this is subject to the findings of the inspectors that are coming in January to assess the state of preparedness.”

Minister Mzembi said Government had set aside 1 200 hectares of land for uptake by investors in preparation for the crucial event.

"The land may be used for construction of new hotels and many other structures for tourism," he said.

Chronicle Reporter

BULAWAYO women scooped the best overall exhibitors stand award at the just ended Sanganani/Hlanganani Tourism and Travel Fair in Harare.

Midlands Bureau Chief

ZIMBABWE should grab the opportunity presented by the co-hosting of the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly next year to market itself as a destination of choice and boost the performance of its tourism sector, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Engineer Walter Mzembi has said.

Addressing delegates at the official opening of the 2012 Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Annual Congress held at a Gweru hotel on Thursday, Eng Mzembi said the Inclusive Government should stop communicating contradictions to the world and start speaking with one voice.

The minister said every economic sector, including those in the tourism industry, had a role to play in preparing to deliver the brand Zimbabwe to the world.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a golden opportunity ahead of us to resuscitate and launch our sector to greater heights because already the facts and figures point to a sustained improvement in performance of the sector. We have a huge and exceptional opportunity to become a Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination of choice arising out of this hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly.

Patrick Chitumba
Airlines are introducing additional flights into holiday resorts as the tourism season reaches its peak, an official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has said.

Leonard Ncube

THE Gwayi-Shangani Dam, viewed as part of the long term solution to Bulawayo water problems, is under threat from mining activities in the Gwayi area as massive pollution of Gwayi and Shangani rivers is looming.

Patrick Chitumba
THREE airlines have increased their frequency to Victoria Falls with a fourth airline expected to join in the rush to the resort town before the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly.

Masvingo Correspondent

THE Masvingo City Council was on Monday fined $400 by a local magistrate when it was found guilty of discharging raw sewage into Shakashe River.

In addition to the fine, the local authority was ordered to pay $8 407 on or before 31 October to the Environmental Management Agency for the costs of the removal of the waste or other pollutants discharged.

Gwanda Correspondent

GOLD panners in Matabeleland South Province have destroyed thousands of hectares of pastures in search of underground minerals, worsening the drought situation faced by the province.

Victoria Falls Reporter

UNITED Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) inspectors are expected in Victoria Falls today for a third assessment exercise of designated tourist facilities in the resort town as the final countdown to the August 2013 event is gathering  momentum.

Patrick Chitumba

THE hospitality industry recorded a 12 percent growth in room occupancy compared to last year during the Heroes and Defence Forces holiday, Hotel Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) president Mr Tich Hwingwiri has said.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) have introduced a new Tourism Receipt and Accounting System (TRAS) to enhance remissions of monthly returns to the central bank.

Victoria Falls Reporter

White water rafting on the Zambezi River, suspended four weeks ago due to rising waters, has resumed, Rafting Association of Zimbabwe (Raz) secretary-general Mr Frank Njeni Ncube has said.