24 July 2023. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Two Southern African brother nations, Zambia and Zimbabwe are working tirelessly to consolidate their ties of consanguinity, especially in the area of tourism. Over the past week, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority met with the Zambia Tourism Agency for a series of bilateral meetings under the Joint Tourism Facilitation Committee (JTFC), in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
The JTFC which is co-chaired by the ZTA Chief Executive, Winnie Muchanyuka and her Zambia Tourism Agency counterpart CEO Mr. Matongo Matamwandi, is a fulfilment of the tenets of the inter-ministerial engagements on the Victoria Falls. The inter-ministerial meeting is an initiative led by Zimbabwe’s tourism minister Hon. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu and his Zambian counterpart Hon. Rodney Sikuma.
The JTFC is charged with identifying & discussing initiatives on the ground to bring the two countries’ cooperation to life. In her remarks, Ms. Winnie said, “The two-day meetings saw the national tourism organizations mapping collaborative activities in the joint marketing of Victoria Falls and Kariba where the countries share tourism assets and borders.
Muchanyuka added that, “the overall objective came from the realisation that one cannot win alone, the two countries share resources, rich history, expertise etc. which together the countries can achieve more. In agreement with his counterpart, Zambia Tourism Agency CEO Mr Matongo Matamwandi reiterated the need to collaborate, “if we work together, we put resources, ideas and minds together, we can achieve much more. We would rather collaborate, be more effective & efficient than to compete in promoting the Victoria Falls,” added Matamwandi.