When Covid struck, Victoria Falls city came to a standstill – 80% of its residents were without their livelihoods. But the community stepped in and now the destination has won the Silver Award for ‘Sustaining Employees and Communities throughout the Pandemic’ at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa Responsible Tourism Awards Africa 2022.
The aim of the WTM Africa award is to recognise businesses and destinations that make responsible tourism their focus. Victoria Falls residents believe it is critical to look after their community and environment to build a sustainable future.
A local grassroots organisation, We are Victoria Falls (WAVF), represents the community, with 180 large, small, formal and informal stakeholders to build on ‘solidarity, community commitment to tourism and health preparedness’. WAVF’s efforts revolve around the wellbeing and sustainability of tourism and looking after the people and the environment that allow the industry to thrive.
Through WAVF, 100 organisations have sponsored community initiatives or volunteered their time and resources to programmes that aim to support the community throughout the pandemic.
One such scheme is Food for Work, whereby volunteers helped with town improvement and clean-up projects. In exchange, they received a meal and food to take home to their families. The Children’s Feeding Scheme supplied one meal a day for schoolchildren in the region, supplying 577 088 meals in the first six months of lockdown.
‘Tourism is the life-force of Victoria Falls – it provides jobs, skills and meaningful exchange with the rest of the world,’ said Permanent Secretary Munesu Munodawafa of the Ministry for Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality. ‘In Zimbabwe, I like to think we do things differently. We get up and we make a plan to make sure we all come through together. This effort has been led by individuals, organisations and agencies that work together – it sets us apart, and long may it continue.’
In other efforts to protect much of its wildlife, multiple anti-poaching units collaborated to increase their range and work together on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and maintain the area’s environmental integrity.
Adventure tour operator Wild Horizons also received a gold award for Growing the Local Economic Benefit, making it a double win for Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe has recently removed its PCR entry requirements, and there are more flights to the destination. Victoria Falls is ready to welcome visitors again.
WIN: A six-night holiday to Vic Falls worth over R65 000! (Closed)
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