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President Mugabe opens UNWTO 2013
25 Aug 2013 at 04:40hrs | Views
VICTORIA FALLS was a hive of activity yesterday as it welcomed thousands of delegates and tourists who have descended on the resort town for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) 20th session General Assembly.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are hosting the tourism jamboree which ends on Thursday.
President Robert Mugabe is expected to officially open the international tourism convention this afternoon at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Mugabe will jet into the resort town straight from the National Heroes' Acre, where he will preside over the burial of the late retired Air Commodore Mike Karakadzai, who died in a car crash early last week and was declared a national hero.
Mugabe is expected to be joined by his Zambian counterpart, President Michael Sata.
The UNWTO team led by the organisation's secretary-general Talib Rifai is already in the country.
There was a carnival atmosphere in the resort town, as residents were enthusiastic about the event and activities lined up.
Security is watertight, with police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi saying the force was out in full force.
"The police have deployed adequate manpower to provide maximum security to the conference and venue, delegates, hotels and lodges accommodating visitors," he said.
"The public is urged to co-operate with police officers to ensure the smooth flow of traffic to and from the conference centre, resort centres in the country and points of entertainment, where delegates and officials will be visiting.
"We value your co-operation in ensuring the safety and security of our delegates and visitors."
Yesterday officials were busy accrediting delegates.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are hosting the tourism jamboree which ends on Thursday.
President Robert Mugabe is expected to officially open the international tourism convention this afternoon at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Mugabe will jet into the resort town straight from the National Heroes' Acre, where he will preside over the burial of the late retired Air Commodore Mike Karakadzai, who died in a car crash early last week and was declared a national hero.
Mugabe is expected to be joined by his Zambian counterpart, President Michael Sata.
The UNWTO team led by the organisation's secretary-general Talib Rifai is already in the country.
There was a carnival atmosphere in the resort town, as residents were enthusiastic about the event and activities lined up.
Security is watertight, with police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi saying the force was out in full force.
"The police have deployed adequate manpower to provide maximum security to the conference and venue, delegates, hotels and lodges accommodating visitors," he said.
"The public is urged to co-operate with police officers to ensure the smooth flow of traffic to and from the conference centre, resort centres in the country and points of entertainment, where delegates and officials will be visiting.
"We value your co-operation in ensuring the safety and security of our delegates and visitors."
Yesterday officials were busy accrediting delegates.
Source - Southerneye
