Victoria Falls is expected to see a boost in investment after Zimbabwean President, Emerson Mnangagwa, recently awarded the town city status. It is now officially known as Victoria Falls City.

Mnangagwa encouraged the city leadership and stakeholders to utilise the new status to boost the national image to grow the tourism sector and other ongoing national investment, trade and modernisation programmes.

“It remains Government’s expectation that the city will continue on its vision and mission to provide high-quality services that maintain the uniqueness, natural ambience and competitiveness of the city of Victoria Falls as a premier tourist destination.”

He said the implementation of the integrated landscape and development plan for Victoria Falls included the preservation of the environment and cultural heritage.

“To this end, the ecosystem of our mighty Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – should be jealously protected and safeguarded. The habitat of animals and their age-old corridors must continue to be respected.”

A tourism executive commented: “With the city status, Victoria Falls will assume prestige that is reserved for cities and now compete with other tourism destinations globally. This will also make the tourism town a well sought-after investment destination, with potential for more twinning relationships with other cities around the world.”

Zimbabwe wants to make Victoria Falls its conferencing capital and plans to build a multi-purpose convention centre with top-notch facilities such as five-star hotels, medical centre, a university, a Zimbabwe Defence Forces camp and sporting facilities.