Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
ZIMBABWE is set to host its inaugural Food and Wine Festival in Victoria Falls from May 29 to June 1, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.
Victoria Falls, already recognised for its successful hosting of international events, continues to bolster Zimbabwe’s ambition of building a multi-billion-dollar tourism sector by offering unique experiences that appeal to a global audience.
The upcoming festival promises a blend of gourmet cuisine, fine wine, fashion, and live entertainment, creating a vibrant and upscale atmosphere. The fashion element has particularly captured the imagination of style enthusiasts.
“This will be such an amazing event, elegance is so important when it comes to wine and culinary aspects so if you can include nice fashion, it really makes it so elevated and brings a whole new vibe to this Festival. We are going to have so many beautiful people walking around looking so amazing from different countries all celebrating the festival,” Fashion Enthusiast, Robby Kimmel said.
Organisers of the event are focusing on a unique tourism product that will further enhance the country as a tourism destination of choice.
South Africa’s music icon PJ Powers is billed to attract huge crowds at the festival.
“Here in Victoria Falls, one knows that 90 % is the hospitality industry built on food and beverage in some form. We felt that it was something overdue to formulate in this town,” the event’s organiser, Des Van Jaarsveldt said.
“There is a class of spenders we also want to capture hence even when you look at our entertainment we have chosen PJ Powers as the main attraction. She belongs to yesterday people whose spending power is also consistent,” the event’s curator, Patrick Musonza said.
The event joins a growing list of high-profile gatherings in Victoria Falls, including the Victoria Falls Carnival, the Mapopoma Festival, and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s Gastronomy Tourism Conference held last year, further solidifying the city’s status as a leading African tourism hub.
