By Nyashadzashe Ndoro
Chief Reporter
Cabinet has approved the Air Services Development Plan, which will guide air services development at Victoria Falls Airport and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, focusing on enhancing the country's appeal as a premier travel destination.
The plan, represented to Cabinet on Tuesday by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, identifies potential tourist and business source markets, develops routes for airline presentations and industry events, and fosters public-private collaboration. Assessments of demand, supply, infrastructure and Zimbabwe's aviation environment inform the strategy.
Key objectives include identifying tourist and business source markets and preparing business cases for airline route presentations and industry events.
"The Plan seeks to identify potential tourist and business source markets for Zimbabwe and will be utilized in the preparation of business cases for routes that can be presented to airlines and preparing for meetings with airlines and preparing for industry events/trade shows," Information Minister Jenfan Muswere told journalists during post Cabinet briefing in Harare.
"Cabinet advises that the Air Services Development Plan is informed by the following factors, assessment of demand and supply factors at Victoria Falls and Harare, infrastructure assessment at both airports and the enabling environment for aviation transport in Zimbabwe.
"The Air Services Development Plan provides for a clear Air Route Development Strategy which provides an overall strategy for air services development for Victoria Falls and Harare as well as route development strategy by country and by airline. The Plan recognises the importance of coordination by both the public and private sectors in active route development by undertaking engagements with potential airlines. To that end, the plan proposes strategies for coordinating the two sectors in the development of air services in Zimbabwe."
Expected outcomes include establishing Zimbabwe as a destination of choice, increasing tourism arrivals, enhancing African and international connectivity and boosting flights into Zimbabwe.
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