Zimpapers Logo

ZIMBABWE is proving to be a tourist destination of choice as evidenced by high profile figures that have visited the country during the past few years to sample its tourism products. 

This week former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made a surprise visit to Victoria Falls. 

The 83-year-old football icon arrived in the resort city on Sunday joining a long list of international celebrities that have visited Zimbabwe’s tourism capital. 

The other high profile figures that have visited Victoria Falls and other tourist destinations across the country include Hollywood stars and couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uefa president who is also Fifa vice-president Aleksander Ceferin and his wife Barbara and Honorary Commander of the British Navy, Mrs Durdana Ansari.  

The other celebrities that visited the country include South African television presenter and socialite Maps Mamponyane, Springsboks captain Siya Kolisi and Barcelona’s Rayco Garcia. Mamponyane who spent a day in Victoria Falls, spoke glowingly about the falls. 

Renowned American comedian and television host Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie also visited Victoria Falls. 

Sir Alex’s two-day visit to Victoria Falls was yet another endorsement of Zimbabwe as a tourist destination of choice. His presence in the resort city attracted many people including Manchester United fans who hold him in very high esteem. 

Sir Alex‘s name is etched in football history having transformed Manchester United into a global powerhouse during his 27-year tenure. 

His impressive legacy includes 13 English Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Uefa Champions League trophies. The challenge to the tourism and hospitality industry is to ensure that these celebrities come back because repeat visits are crucial for the growth of our tourism industry. 

We have no doubt that these celebrities who have been to different tourist destinations across the country are now our ambassadors assisting us to market Zimbabwe as a tourist destination of choice. 

The country can only derive maximum benefits from its world class tourist attractions such as the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Ruins and other such attractions if it is able to attract large numbers of foreign visitors from big markets such as America and China. 

A few years ago Zimbabwe played host to 10 chief executives of big corporates in America who spent three days in Victoria Falls. The country should therefore continue to attract such high profile tourists and this is only possible if our visitors enjoy our services and hospitality.