Story by Patience Nyagato
ZIMBABWE and Tanzania are poised for expanded relations in tourism, trade, and regional cooperation amid revelations that Air Tanzania will launch a new flight plying the Victoria Falls – Dar es Salaam – Cape Town route on December 11.
The airline will operate the route twice a week, creating a direct link between some of Africa’s most powerful tourism destinations.
The connection is viewed as strategic in deepening collaboration, boosting tourist flows and opening new business opportunities between Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
Air Tanzania Zimbabwe Country Manager, Mr Ismail Mpinga, told ZBC News the move is part of a broader drive to integrate Africa’s natural tourism assets to build a shared tourism corridor that benefits the two countries.
“Air Tanzania is planning to commence our scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam to Victoria Falls, commencing on December 11 and the route is going to be operating two times a week (Thursdays and Sundays). We decided to go to Vic Falls and Cape Town as they are tourist destinations. We look at these two destinations as brothers and sisters, so we will link them in terms of marketing with the tourism board.”
Beyond passenger movement, the route is expected to foster deeper partnerships between the two countries as the Tanzania Tourist Board will work closely with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and other local industry players including tour operators, hotels and destination managers to co-market the new service and stimulate arrivals in both directions.
