The tourism industry is pursuing the initiative #OneZimbabwe, a movement that spreads positive news and good stories about the country, its regions, cultures, wildlife and people.
“Within the tourism industry we have partnered with our fellow Zimbabwe-based operators to change the narrative. By working together to promote Zimbabwe as a remarkable safari destination and to address the concerns of our partners and travellers, we have seen an increase in positive sentiment and booking enquiries,” says Gemma Heyns, Public Relations Specialist at African Bush Camps.
“This year Zimbabwe has experienced negative sentiment generated by the hyper-sensitivity of international press. While some of it has merit, this negative sentiment is overshadowing all the remarkable initiatives that are taking place within the country,” says Heyns.
Gavin Rennie, Off 2 Africa DMC Director, says: “Zimbabwe has had its ups and downs on the political and economic fronts, but tourism here has always come up smiling. Now is no exception, when we are seeing significant investment in the industry.”
Travellers here are looking for world-class experiences and transformative connections with people and wildlife – and they’re ready to immerse themselves in an inherently African adventure. Zimbabwe presents limitless opportunities to fulfil all of these, across all segments of the market, says Rennie.
These include hiking through mountain forests, biking into village communities, volunteering in rhino conservation, shimmying across the world’s highest zipline, fishing from a houseboat, horse-riding among plains game, star gazing from a private sleep-out deck, taking a train safari or a historic rock art adventure, visiting one or all five Unesco World Heritage Sites, trying traditional food, or upping the ante with Victoria Falls’ many adrenalin activities.
“As in-country destination management specialists, we love to create a wider, more colourful sense of what Zimbabwe – possibly Southern Africa’s most diverse destination – has to offer, by blending the popular attractions with local showstoppers. We give our agents the big picture, and help travellers discover the extras that always make their journeys exceptional,” says Rennie.
