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Victoria Falls a place like home

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Recently in Victoria Falls

FAR away from Elephant Hills Hotel, the venue of the recently held 34th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, the resort town of Victoria Falls pulsated with a vibrancy that spoke of a Zimbabwe that the world cannot help, but fall in love with.
The town was an extraordinary mosaic of colour; people from all walks of life were in town, for various reasons.
Convoys of Presidents and their delegates accompanied by police escorts with booming sounds of sirens became part of the attractions of the scenic town.
The leaders came in their numbers.
The tourists too were in their numbers.
This has been the case since the July 31 2013 harmonised elections.
Security details were everywhere, but they were not really necessary.
Striking was how the contrasting worlds of politics and tourism converged.
On the political side were officials sorting out the logistics for the event.
And the organisation was top notch.
True to the Zimbabwean culture of excellent hospitality, smiling faces assisted delegates and tourists alike.
The white tent pitched on the Elephant Hills Hotel grounds provided enough room and space for the more than 700 delegates who gathered for the summit.
Armed with air conditioners, the sweltering heat of Victoria Falls found its match in the conference room.
There was glamour and fanfare.
There was an overwhelming sense of belonging.
There was pride.
Zimbabwe’s time had come.
It was not only because President Robert Mugabe, the host leader was taking over the reins as the new Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairman.
It was because Zimbabwe had everything right.
The planning, the venue, the organisation, in fact just about everything was correct and in place for the summit.
President Mugabe told delegates they should enjoy Victoria Falls and even mentioned bungee jumping as a possible activity.
Indeed this is what people on the other side of the politics that was taking place at Elephant Hills Hotels were doing.
Politicians and revellers mixed and mingled.
Tourists who could not find accommodation in hotels and lodges that were fully booked thanked the summit for the failure.
Zimbos being who they are, an innovative people opened their homes to our guests.
And many of the visitors swore they would not be booking into hotels the next time they visit.
They were delighted by the hospitality of their hosts; ordinary Zimbabwe families made them feel right at home.
“You said you are hosting a summit here?” asked a Gerald Cohen from Australia.
“I am surprised because from what I have heard and read Zimbabwe could never host any event of significance.
“But now I know it can for the Zimbabwe that I am experiencing is beautiful and safer than many destinations I have visited.”
Another tourist who refused to be named ‘promised’ to bring her friends and relatives to Victoria Falls in December.
“We will stay in the ‘ghetto’, the people there are something else,” she said.
Employers’ Association for Safari and Tourism Operators president Clement Mukwasi was this week quoted by a local daily as saying the country was slowly coming out of the doldrums after years of sustained anti-Zimbabwe onslaught mostly by the Western media.
Mukwasi indicated that the summit had helped significantly to change perceptions about the country.
The country, he said, was a safe tourist destination as there were no cases of harassment of tourists reported.
“We didn’t record a single case of tourists’ harassment,” Mukwasi said.
“Others (tourists) have created bonds with families they have stayed with and have promised that next time they visit, they won’t bother staying in hotels.”
As the sirens rang again on Monday, hopefully not for the last time, with leaders and delegations heading back to their respective destinations, the vibrancy of Victoria Falls remained ready to host some more visitors.
The love shown by the people of Victoria Falls seems to be the kind that does not die.
Victoria Falls is definitely a place and a people ever ready to embrace the world.

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