Panic over Vic Falls preparations

CONCERN has been raised over the "snail pace" of upgrading infrastructure in Victoria Falls ahead of the hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly by the country's premier resort town in August.

Victoria Falls and Livingstone in neighbouring Zambia are expected to co-host the international tourism event.

A team of inspectors from UNWTO is expected in the country to assess Zimbabwe's preparedness to host the high profile event expected to attract more than 3 000 participants.

Yesterday, an inter-ministerial team assessing the resort town's state of preparedness held a meeting in Victoria Falls where it discussed with stakeholders preparations for the event.

Sources who attended the meeting said they were concerned that little progress had been made so far in upgrading infrastructure.

They said among issues which came under spotlight was the Victoria Falls Hospital that was said to be at a standstill and the little progress on the construction of the Victoria Falls Airport.

"All concerned stakeholders have been urged to play their part and efforts are being made at the last minute to impress the visiting UNWTO inspectors," said a source who attended the meeting.

"Zimbabwe cannot afford to lose the bid to host the conference at this stage. Since this is the last inspection before a final report is made, there is need to impress the team to have a favourable report on the state of preparedness."

Another source, however, said the inter-ministerial team was still optimistic that the UNWTO inspectorate would be impressed with the progress made so far.

The inter-ministerial team was led by Deputy Chief Secretary to the President Christian Katsande.