Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to market Victoria Falls

The Government through the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has intensified efforts to attract more airline to Victoria Falls as a way of increasing capacity at the newly build Victoria Falls Airport.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry deputy Minister Anastacia Ndlovu said that they were already in discussion with Turkish airlines officials to have the airline introduce direct flights into Victoria Falls.

"We are negotiating with Turkish Airlines to operate the direct flights into resort town of Victoria Falls.

"There is a business delegation from Turkey which is coming sometime this month and we should use that meeting to also promote our operations here," she said.

The deputy minister was speaking on the sidelines of the International Air Travel Association day that was held in Victoria Falls last week.

She said that attracting more airlines into Victoria Falls was key to the success of airport, which underwent a multi-million dollar facelift and expansion at a cost $150 million.

"We've completed the refurbishment of Victoria Falls International Airport, but we don't want it to be a white elephant, so besides Turkish Airlines Ltd., we are also negotiating with other long haul flights to come here," she said.

Some of the features of the upgraded airport include an expanded runway that is now four kilometres long from 1,5 kilometres, which allows it to accommodate long haul jets and a new terminal that can handle 1,2 million passengers per annum up from 500 000.