The Zambezi Challenge

Travel Update – 30 June 2008

June 27th came and went in Victoria Falls just as calmly, peacefully and normally as all days in our remarkable destination. We now look forward, as ever in tourism, to how we all continue to develop and deliver exceptional visitor experiences in this IUCN World Heritage Site.

The airlines continue to fly in daily and unload guests from a myriad of countries and points of origin as Victoria Falls continues to be the Hub of regional tourism. Stand in the airport or the rainforest and at any given time you will hear 4-6 languages being spoken as each plane delivers more visitors from across the world together with arrivals from our neighbours in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia and, of course, our very own Zimbabwean guests.

New products, excursions, activities and initiatives continue to be launched and the never-ending sense of positive motion that is part of the fabric of Victoria Falls and its community is always evident.

People come and go in the industry and it is wonderful news to welcome back Jono Hudson, his wife and 2 young children as of June 27th. GotoVictoriaFalls.com is very pleased to have Jono back on the team, as is the Victoria Falls community.

We recognise of course that certain agents, operators and travellers have concerns about visiting Zimbabwe as a result of travel advisories issued by some countries. On this topic, an industry delegation from JATA (Japanese Association of Travel Agents) visited Victoria Falls last weekend on a specific “look see” experience and have gone back determined to encourage their government to keep Victoria Falls on the lowest possible level of travel advisory. In a similar vein, we hope to be able to influence local embassies and high commissions so that Victoria Falls is not included in increased travel warnings for the country at large.

We once again reiterate that Victoria Falls remains one of the safest, calmest and most peaceful destinations on the planet. There is no sound reason not to visit, and indeed many good reasons why one should visit.

GotoVictoriaFalls.com and all its members have always been, and will always be honest, frank and professional in our communications about the status and facts on the ground in Victoria Falls. We will always seek to be the first to advise, should it ever be necessary, against travel to Victoria Falls.

We look forward to your continued support and remain sincerely appreciative of all your efforts on our behalf.

Yours sincerely,

Ross Kennedy
For GoToVictoriaFalls.com