The Bulawayo Publicity Association is developing a sunshine package tour with the aim of attracting international tourists to Bulawayo and surrounding environs.
BPA Director, Valerie Bell, said the association had engaged a number of tour operators and lodge owners to come up with this package.
“When group visitors conduct sub-Saharan African package tours, Victoria Falls is the only resort area visited in Zimbabwe as the tourists come through Zambia. We are trying to attract more international tourists to Bulawayo,” said Bell.
She said the plan was to ensure that Bulawayo – which is famous for the Matopos, Khami Ruins as well as cultural tours, and the areas up to Hwange – is not bypassed by offering attractive rates and activities along the drive through to Victoria Falls.
“Bulawayo is an important historic cultural centre. There is various game along the way, especially in the Hwange area where the national park is,” she said, adding that the area boasted beautiful lodges and a serene environment. “We want to ensure international visitors experience this before reaching the Falls.”
Chairman of the Hwange, Gwayi, Dete Tourism Association, Langton Masunda, said the Matabeleland North area had the richest and most diverse cultural offering, adding that international tourists would appreciate the region. He said the combination of Ndebele, Nambya and Tonga cultures as well as the wildlife in the Gwayi conservancy area and Hwange Colliery, were some of the offerings for visitors.
“We are interested in people sampling the Matetsi area famous for wildlife, Binga which offers the best tiger fishing experience in Zimbabwe, and seeing the ways of living of the locals,” says Masunda
According to Masunda, a lot of interest is anticipated from the Scandinavian market (Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland), the Western Europe markets of France, England, Germany and Spain as well as the Russian market and the Americas.
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