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Award-winning Dzimbahwe Guest Lodge located in Zimbabwe’s premier tourist destination, the Victoria Falls, is an oasis of hospitality accommodation that suits every traveller’s dream holiday.
The Victoria Falls is set for a big change. It was recently awarded city status, is earmarked for a special economic zone, and fast becoming a regional air transport hub in the centre of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) for the primary purpose of harmonizing policies, strategies, and practices for managing shared Natural Resources that straddle the international borders of the five (5) Partner States and deriving equitable socio-economic benefits through the Sustainable Use and development of their Natural and Cultural Heritage Resources.
The Government of the Republic of Angola, the Government of the Republic of Botswana, the Government of the Republic of Namibia, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe are the partner states for the KAZA TFCA.
In a trip organised by Boundless Southern Africa for media practitioners in the region, in support of the #20For20 SME Initiative under the Zimbabwe Destination Development Program run by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry and supported by the IFC, a group of regional and local travel journalists is currently in the destination to appreciate the resilience and efforts of small to medium enterprises in Victoria Falls and their importance in tourism revival following the COVID-19 pandemic and the push towards the Sustainable development goals of 2030.
Shelly Cox from We Are Victoria Falls and a co-director of Africa Conservation Travel said the most iconic destinations are enriched by the smaller players such as Dzimbahwe Guest Lodge.
“The guides who grew up with the wildlife, the family that dreams of a B&B, the young entrepreneurs who want to do something new. These voices are part of the rich tapestry that makes a destination dynamic, with an authentic sense of place. But at the heart of successful destination growth is a character, authenticity, and real people. The small entrepreneurs at the heart of Victoria Falls have been crippled by Covid-19, but know the value of their voices – and are determined to drive the future change,” Cox said.
There has been very limited support for SMEs. In many parts of the world, the fear that many smaller businesses will be eradicated as a result of the pandemic has caused governments to provide relief measures – intended to support the tourism community, and ensure they are there to help recovery and build future resilience. This has been a challenge across much of Africa including Zimbabwe.
“SMEs are needed to ‘build back better’. As Victoria Falls enters a new phase of its development – planning for the new special economic zone, expanding the city for greater liveability for its residents – supporting the growth of smaller businesses and entrepreneurs within this next chapter is very important. They are the passionate heart of the city – the essential ingredients for place-making. They also have the capability to help a destination achieve the UNDP Sustainable Goals of 2030 through providing greater employment pools, reducing poverty, and allowing for inclusive growth.
“The Victoria Falls of the future needs a more diverse tourist mix if it is to better cope with source market risk, the imperative to be greener, and to fulfil its potential as a gateway to other destinations in Zimbabwe and the KAZA region. To do this – wider diversity of product is important, speaking to new markets at differing price points, with more varied itineraries and interests. Larger firms can also play a role here, but the character of the city will be driven by local people, their interactions and role in the sector,” Cox added.
Judith Dzimbanhete, a Director of Dzimbahwe Guest Lodge said her place offers private, clean and reasonably priced accommodation, perfect for the discerning guest who is looking for a small, personalized lodge in the center of Victoria Falls with a high level of services.
Dzimbahwe Lodge is located in the peaceful area of Victoria Falls closer to the game corridor and 3km to the mighty Victoria Falls.
In our quest to create an oasis of hospitality accommodation that suits every traveller’s dream holiday, we offer self-catering, bed and breakfast, lunches and dinner, airport transfers, and various tourism activities like kayaking and canoeing, among others,” Dzimbanhete said.
Dzimbanhete Guest Lodge is the 2021 winner of the Global Tourism Awards – a testimony that it is a citadel of quality tourism providers among the SME players in Victoria Falls.