United States Ambassadors to Zimbabwe and Zambia, Bruce Wharton and Mark Storella, will lead the delegation of cyclists with the aim of promoting economic growth and wildlife conservation in the two Southern African Development Community countries.
The delegation will include Zimbabwean comedian Carl Joshua Ncube, popular ZiFM DJ, Lorraine Bgoya and Miss USA, Nana Meriwether, who is currently on a visit in Zambia.
The trip aims to highlight the economic and conservation benefits of tourism ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly.
Zimbabwe and Zambia will co-host the 20th UNWTO General Assembly from August 24-29 in Victoria Falls and Livingstone.
The tour will start in Zambia on 21 May and ends on the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls on 23 May.
The delegation will cycle through Livingstone and Victoria Falls, visiting the national parks on both sides of the border and will get time to learn about snare clearing and endangered vultures while at the same time meeting with disabled handicraft makers.
As part of the tour, the delegation will meet local government officials and tour a US government-funded family planning clinic and another health centre that assists American tourists.
According to the Zimbabwe Tourism Association, Americans make up the largest group of non-African international tourists to Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabwe and Zambia share one of the great natural wonders of the
world: Victoria Falls.
“With spectacular landscapes and wildlife, this area is truly a world treasure and should be protected and nurtured for future generations from every country to cherish. It is also the foundation for a growing eco-tourism industry that can and should create jobs and bring development to the people of the area,” said Wharton.
This is the second time that Africa will host the tourism event after Senegal in 2005. This year marks the first time that the UNWTO General Assembly has been held in the SADC and COMESA regions.
Post published in: News