The word ‘unique’ is quite often used to describe Zimbabwe as a destination and Routes Africa delegates were able to sample this first-hand at this year’s event. The country may have its international labels but it is a fascinating tourist destination which is home to world heritage sites protected for posterity. The most famous is of course the majestic Victoria Falls and its thunderous cascading sheets of falling water that attracts visitors from across the world and which could be seen from our event hotel.
The Routes Africa Strategy Summit provided an engaging and thought-provoking start to the event. From the welcome address of the Honourable J.T.R Mujuru, Vice President, Zimbabwe to the various statements from senior government ministers including the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Hospitality and the Honourable Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, it is clear that Zimbabwe has tremendous potential to develop as a destination.
Zimbabwe offers a fantastic platform for air service development as the country continues its strategic drive to advance economically through, among other initiatives, tourism development and the transformation of the country into a regional world class transport and communications hub. Developments were already clear to see for delegates at Routes Africa as Victoria Falls International Airport continues its major infrastructure changes which are expected to be completed in April 2015.
The two-day Strategy Summit debated some of the key topics impacting the aviation business across Africa, including the continued evolution of the low-cost airline model and how restrictive regulations, high taxes and unfair subsidies and visa issues are stifling true competition in Africa. One comment more than any other summed up the ongoing challenges for aviation in Africa. “We need peace in the Continent first before we can tackle other challenges.”
If you attended this year's Routes Africa look out and see if you can see yourself on our event highlights video, if you didn’t then sit back and watch as three days of meetings and networking are condensed into just three minutes.
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