The smoke that thunders, the English translation of the Sotho name for the waterfall, is still majestic. However, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of visitors to a trickle. Normally, Victoria Falls attracts 350,000 tourists per year. However, their numbers have fallen to almost zero due to travel restrictions.
According to the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, hotel occupancy rates dropped to single digits in 2020 and 2021. Some hotels had to close.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government made vaccines available for all 35,000 residents in the town, which shares a name and falls. This was done to promote Victoria Falls as a safe place. A total of 60% of those living in the area have had their vaccines administered by Sinopharm and Sinovac, both from China.
Although most tourists have not returned to Victoria Falls in large numbers, they are mostly safe from the current wave COVID-19, which has affected southern Africa and Zimbabwe. Health officials attribute this to Victoria Falls’ relatively high vaccination rate.
Over 1.8 million people in Zimbabwe have had their first vaccination, which is slightly less than 12% of the population. More than 900,000. people have two doses.
The government reopened the two land borders linking Victoria Falls to Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia last week, based on the high vaccination rates in Victoria Falls. All travelers must have proof of vaccination and pass the COVID-19 negative test.
Because of the high number of international tourists, Victoria Falls was the place where Zimbabwe’s first COVID-19 patient was recorded in March 2020. One year later, all residents of the town, aged 18 or older, were eligible for shots, in a world where only medical professionals were eligible.
All Zimbabweans over the age of 18 are eligible. However, due to shortages of vaccines, waiting lists are very long, and many are disappointed.
The Victoria Falls allows restaurants to allow customers to sit in – something that is not allowed in Zimbabwe. This is due in part because of tight restrictions in Zimbabwe. According to a Ministry of Health report, close to 90% of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations in the current surge were caused by unvaccinated persons.
Anald Musonza said that although tourists are still not returning from their flights, Victoria Falls’ reopening was a relief for a town that relies on tourism.
Musonza stated, “We have been waiting for this long,” “This will allow us to keep some jobs that were lost because of the pandemic.”
Together with mining and agriculture tourism is the key anchor of Zimbabwe’s fragile economic system.
Tinashe Farawo spoke on behalf of the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. She said mass vaccinations could open up tourist destinations across the country. The authority has been unable to function due to the loss of tourism revenue.
He said, “Victoria Falls serves as a testimony to the power of vaccines.” It’s good for us. It’s great for wildlife, because we can now raise money to deploy our rangers as well as fund other crucial operations.
