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Herald Reporter

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has partnered private players in an effort to promote domestic tourism and ensure locals enjoy previously unaffordable activities.

Zimparks has partnered a helicopter company MJ Air, luxury coach company City Link Coaches and Rainbow Tourism Group to offer an all-year round package to Victoria Falls for locals.

The package is inclusive of transport, accommodation and tours in the tourist city.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the partnership saying it was part of promoting domestic tourism.

“We hope people will embrace this noble initiative meant to boost our domestic tourism. In order to achieve a US$5 billion tourism economy by 2025, the tourism sector plays a critical role,” he said.

“We want people to enjoy domestic tourism with less headaches, everything being well taken care of. Worries of travel and accommodation should be allayed. Our mantra is: Visit Zimbabwe, to build Zimbabwe”.

Mr Farawo said it was critical for domestic tourism to be supported particularly during this Covid-19 era, where global travel has been restricted to minimise the spread of the pandemic.

“We want to ease pressure on job losses in the Covid-19 era. We want money to cater for the animals. Through support of domestic tourism, Vision 2030, as espoused by President Mnangagwa will be attainable,” he said.

MJ Air administration officer, Ms Nobuhle Gwemende, said with the package on offer, they hope to play their part in ensuring that no local was left behind in visiting the Victoria Falls.

Ms Gwemende said in Victoria Falls, they are providing activities at affordable rates and all in an effort to demystify the notion that it is an expensive destination.

“We are going to be running this package for the entire year. We call upon corporates, church groups, schools and clubs to take advantage of this holiday of a lifetime package,” she said.

They also have a credit facility with ZB Bank to enable locals to enjoy their holidays now and then pay later in instalme