News / Regional
Vic Falls Safari Lodge to be refurbished
19 Feb 2013 at 21:54hrs | Views
Hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism, will this year refurbish all rooms at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, the chief executive, Mr Ross Kennedy, has said.
Last year, the group invested $3 million for the construction of a 20- roomed Victoria Falls Safari Club at the lodge.
Mr Kennedy said further upgrades were budgeted for this year, including the stylish refurbishment of the 72 rooms at the safari lodge.
"There is no question that Victoria Falls has renewed and regained status as a major African tourism hub. All the signs are that Zimbabwe tourism is turning a corner and this is reflected in many varied ways. Our own AAT group occupancies, across four properties, grew in 2012 and 2013 forecasts and our forward books show continued growth. We are very optimistic about the Zimbabwe tourism industry at large."
Mr Kennedy said positive developments in the tourism sector included the arrival in 2012 of both Emirates and Dutch headquartered KLM into Harare, the upgrading of the Victoria Falls International Airport and runway and the general improvement of product and property in Victoria Falls.
"Some of this is on the back of the massive boost that will flow with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in Victoria Falls and Livingstone in August ' a supreme vote of global confidence in our extraordinary and world-class destination."
Mr Kennedy predicted that the Victoria Falls Airport will, in the near future, see the arrival of international airlines on a direct basis and would make a significant impact on the tourism industry.
"Other parties are also sensing the moment and are investing in infrastructure, not only at Victoria Falls but elsewhere in Zimbabwe and this boosts confidence all round."
Apart from re-styling all rooms at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Africa Albida Tourism will improve the resort's successful Boma restaurant with a new cookhouse and will also upgrade the outdoor areas of all eight luxury suites at the five-star Ngoma Safari Lodge in Chobe, Botswana.
"We're on a growth path and we have a number of other exciting projects in the pipeline that will unfold this year. We intend to cement our position as one of the foremost tourism operators in Zimbabwe and the key factors will be to continue to drive standards, quality, training and investment in people," he said.
Mr Kennedy also paid tribute to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi, for his positive engagement with the industry.
"We are fortunate to have a minister who is full of positive energy and who is playing a forceful and critical role in shining a great light on the Zimbabwe Tourism brand."
Last year, the group invested $3 million for the construction of a 20- roomed Victoria Falls Safari Club at the lodge.
Mr Kennedy said further upgrades were budgeted for this year, including the stylish refurbishment of the 72 rooms at the safari lodge.
"There is no question that Victoria Falls has renewed and regained status as a major African tourism hub. All the signs are that Zimbabwe tourism is turning a corner and this is reflected in many varied ways. Our own AAT group occupancies, across four properties, grew in 2012 and 2013 forecasts and our forward books show continued growth. We are very optimistic about the Zimbabwe tourism industry at large."
Mr Kennedy said positive developments in the tourism sector included the arrival in 2012 of both Emirates and Dutch headquartered KLM into Harare, the upgrading of the Victoria Falls International Airport and runway and the general improvement of product and property in Victoria Falls.
"Some of this is on the back of the massive boost that will flow with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in Victoria Falls and Livingstone in August ' a supreme vote of global confidence in our extraordinary and world-class destination."
Mr Kennedy predicted that the Victoria Falls Airport will, in the near future, see the arrival of international airlines on a direct basis and would make a significant impact on the tourism industry.
"Other parties are also sensing the moment and are investing in infrastructure, not only at Victoria Falls but elsewhere in Zimbabwe and this boosts confidence all round."
Apart from re-styling all rooms at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Africa Albida Tourism will improve the resort's successful Boma restaurant with a new cookhouse and will also upgrade the outdoor areas of all eight luxury suites at the five-star Ngoma Safari Lodge in Chobe, Botswana.
"We're on a growth path and we have a number of other exciting projects in the pipeline that will unfold this year. We intend to cement our position as one of the foremost tourism operators in Zimbabwe and the key factors will be to continue to drive standards, quality, training and investment in people," he said.
Mr Kennedy also paid tribute to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi, for his positive engagement with the industry.
"We are fortunate to have a minister who is full of positive energy and who is playing a forceful and critical role in shining a great light on the Zimbabwe Tourism brand."
Source - TC
