SADC countries urged to promote Victoria Falls jointly

SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) member countries should jointly market the Victoria Falls because the world's natural heritage is of great benefit to the entire region, a Livingstone-based travel and tourism writer Gill Staden has said.

Ms Staden, who is editor of a travel and tourism electronic publication called Livingstone Weekly, said most tourists visiting the SADC region were interested in viewing the Victoria Falls either in Zambia or in Zimbabwe hence the spot should be promoted jointly as a regional project.

Speaking in Livingstone in an interview, Ms Staden urged SADC member countries to identify tourism projects of regional importance such as the Victoria Falls which should be marketed jointly to the outside world.

"For instance, it only takes a day for a person to drive from Livingstone in Zambia to Victoria Falls town Zimbabwe and connect to Kasane in Botswana and to Katimamulilo in Namibia.

"When tourists visit either Katimamulilo or Kasane, they usually also want to view the Victoria Falls in Zambia or in Zimbabwe due to a short distance one has to travel hence the need for such SADC countries to market the Falls jointly," Ms Staden said.

She said Victoria Falls, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, did not only benefit Zambia and Zimbabwe but it was of great benefit to the SADC region and the rest of the world.

"The Victoria Falls region is a convenient hub from which to explore a network of 19 spectacular national parks and reserved in four countries namely Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

"The four countries do not only provide a haven of wildlife but also protects some of the world's endangered birds and a unique wetland system vital for their survival," she said.

Ms Staden noted that Zimbabwe and Botswana were successful in the tourism sector hence there was need for other countries to learn their experiences.

Ms Staden has written and published a book called Beyond the Victoria Falls which provides an overview of tourism opportunities in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

The border towns of Livingstone, Kasane, Victoria Falls and Katimamulilo are discussed in detail in the book which would soon be available in Bookworld outlets in Zambia at the cost of $25 each.