Zimbabwe Sets Sights on South Africa's 2020 Olympics Bid

Officials in Zimbabwe look at the prospective bid from South Africa to host the 2020 Olympics as another opportunity to cash in on its neighbor's international attention -- an opportunity some say the country didn't take advantage of during the 2010 World Cup.

Zimbabwe – which is in an ideal geographical position to benefit from South Africa’s hosting of the Olympic Games – failed to capitalise on the just ended World Cup in a development that saw the country losing out on the financial benefits that result in being directly associated with football’s premier event.

Critics say Zimbabwe government failed to aggressively market the country’s tourist attractions like the Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe Ruins and that this resulted in very little people visiting the country during the tournament.

SA Olympic bid may benefit Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean
July 16, 2010

Providing Fan Parks and Viewing Areas in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is dedicating $2 million to create public World Cup viewing areas in cities and to facilitate the transmission of game broadcasts to rural areas.

[Tourism Minister Walter] Mzembi said there will be no charge to watch games in the rural viewing locations, while city residents will be charged one dollar to access the sites.

Zimbabwe Budgets US$2 Million for Public Viewing of World Cup in Rural Areas
April 8, 2010

Zimbabwe Hopes to Draw Tourists With Revised Visa Rules

The government of Zimbabwe is hoping to revise its visa rules to ease international travel into the country from neighboring South Africa.

Proposals included a special permit to allow travel between South Africa and Zimbabwe and a complete suspension of visa requirements for visitors from the 32 participating nations.

This as concern grows that the tourism and commercial spin-offs from South Africa's hosting of the tournament may not be as high as initially predicted.

Zimbabwe's Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi said: "The arrivals have been revised down almost to about 280 000 or so, starting from an all high of 450 000. It affects us here as well".

Zimbabwe calls for special World Cup visa
April 13, 2010

Zimbabwe Plans $70 Million in Tourism Marketing Around World Cup

Zimbabwe is hoping to benefit from South Africa's World Cup -- and they're making a big investment to make sure they do. The country's tourism minister is seeking a $70-million bankroll to fund marketing and tourism-related efforts to draw people across the border from South Africa.

"We have received a budget proposal of $70-million from various ministries and we have asked them to come up with projects that can be completed around March," Mzembi said.

Five million dollars is earmarked for "an extensive media campaign to advertise our tourist facilities to the outside world" and one million dollars to set up fun parks for visitors.

Zim angling to score from World Cup
Independent Online
January 19, 2010

Many Hurdles in Zimbabwe to Gain Benefit from World Cup

Zimbabwe is hoping to benefit from the upcoming 2010 World Cup in neighboring South Africa, but some analysts say the country's tensions and instability will likely limit the impact of the event.

These hopes are being dashed by the effects of the decade-long economic and political crisis which saw Zimbabwe being regarded in some quarters as a pariah state. Despite concerted efforts by stakeholders in the tourism sector to lure teams and visitors to the Soccer World Cup, the industry is still to regain its competitiveness that would enable it to lure a fair share of the tourist traffic come June 2010.

Analysts told The Financial Gazette this week that the sector is still hamstrung by a plethora of problems which include the unavailability of funds for refurbishments, an unsustainably high country risk, exorbitant prices and the uncertainty that continues to blight the country's body politics.

Zimbabwe: 2010 World Cup - Will This Country Benefit?
Financial Gazette
August 7, 2009

2010 A Chance for Zimbabwe

This blog post from Craig Urquhart wonders whether ZImbabwe will be able to capitalize on the momentum it's had in preparing for the 2010 World Cup and climb back into a positive global light. The country is positioning itself to draw in tourists and provide hotel space for visitors to the region during the tournament.

For starters, a government of national unity has been formed, a move that has stabilised the economy, curbed the post-election violence and given the tourism industry a major boost.

Will 2010 mark a turning point for Zimbabwe?
Mail & Guardian
July 22, 2009

Weed Market Grows in Zimbabwe in Anticipation for the World Cup

This piece from the Mail & Guardian looks at the growth of the cannabis market in Zimbabwe, and the farmers who are hoping to benefit from the World Cup crowds.

In fact the dagga problem is so serious that it's even starting to interfere with the country's education system. Learners in some parts are said to be abandoning their studies so that they can guard their parents' dagga fields. Everyone wants to ensure that there is a good supply for 2010.

Northern Swaziland's mountainous terrain is the perfect spot to grow illegal crops. The "farmers" penetrate deep into the valleys and it's not easy for trespassers or unwelcome guests to get close.

Even the police find it difficult to deter the "farmers". There have been numerous raids and crop sprayings, but they have had little success.

While most of the dagga -- known as Swazi gold -- is sold to local users, there are reports of it being smuggled into South Africa, the rest of the Southern African Development Community region and overseas.

Source:
Green gold grass of home
Mail & Guardian
April 25, 2009