Story by Tichaona Kurewa
A survey conducted in December 2022 has seen more travellers endorsing Victoria Falls as a safe destination compared to the previous year, a development set to expedite the Tourism Recovery Plan.
The Future Traveler Sentiment Survey Report conducted by “We are Victoria Falls” had respondents from a diverse array of markets including the United States of America, Europe, Australia, Dubai and Southern Africa.
“Our 2022 “Future Traveller Sentiment Survey Report” shows that surveyed international, regional and local agents and trade continue to have increased confidence in Victoria Falls. Overall 94% of respondents have confidence in booking Victoria Falls, compared with 79% in 2021 and 52% in 2020. On the other hand, 97% of respondents indicated that travellers had a positive experience of Victoria Falls in 2022,” said ‘We are Victoria Falls’ coordinator and representative, Mrs Shelly Cox.
Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe Matabeleland North Chairperson, Mr. Chiku Mulinde indicated that the survey is key in identifying areas that need to be tightened to ensure that tourism contributes immensely to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
“The results are encouraging for the tourism sector. The growing confidence indicated in that report is one thing that shows as a result of the ongoing collaborative efforts to improve the destination and expedite the recovery efforts. The diverse data which was collected is vital in the ongoing effort to assist the tourism sector to carry out effective strategies,” he said.
We Are Victoria Falls is an independent, public-private partnership initiative representing the tourism community of Victoria Falls. It was formed under the direction of the government and supported by the International Finance Corporation.
The survey comes at an opportune time when the United Nations World Tourism Organisation has projected that global international tourist arrivals could reach 95 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels this year, depending on the extent of some global shocks including the evolution of the Russian-Ukraine conflict.