Zambia, Zimbabwe US envoys cycle for tourism

Mark Storella, United States ambassador to Zambia

THE United States ambassadors to Zambia and Zimbabwe has today began a three-day cross-border bike ride between the two countries to promote tourism.

Ambassadors Bruce Wharton, the US envoy to Zimbabwe, and Mark Storella, the US envoy to Zambia, will be joined by diplomatic staff and celebrities from both countries including comedian Carl Joshua Ncube, ZiFM DJ Lorraine Bgoya and the reigning Miss USA Nana Meriwether, who is currently visiting Zambia.
The American diplomats will lead a delegation of cyclists that includes from Zambia, Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo, Second Lady Charlotte Scott, Livingstone Town Clerk Vivian Chikoti, visiting Miss USA Nana Meriwether, U.S. Embassy officers and Zambian Youth Ambassadors Humphrey Mwila aka “Cactus” and Luyando Haangala aka “Lulu.”
Joining the cycling delegation from Zimbabwe will also be comedian Carl Joshua Ncube and ZiFM DJ Lorraine Bgoya. The U.S. Bike Across Borders trip highlights the economic and conservation merits of tourism ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN WTO) General Assembly co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe August 24-29.
“I have seen the beauty of all corners of Zambia, from the great Zambezi River to the cascading Kalambo Falls in Mbala,” said Ambassador Storella. “I am delighted to be able to share the wealth of Zambia’s cultural heritage with our visitors. Together, by respecting and protecting natural resources and cultural arts, we can help Zambia and the region to diversify its economy, spur private investment, and create jobs that lead to prosperity.”
The Bike Across Borders tour begins with the Zambian delegation Monday, May 20 and features a tour of Livingstone General Hospital and Nsongwe Women’s Association. On Tuesday, May 21, the Zambian delegation will meet the Zimbabwean delegation on the Victoria Falls Bridge and escort them on a bike tour of Livingstone to include a waterfall tour and visits to cultural sites including the David Livingstone Museum, Chief Mukuni’s Palace and Big 5 Game Safaris.
The bike trip ends on the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls Thursday, May 23. In addition to bicycling through Livingstone and Victoria Falls, the two diplomats and their traveling delegations will learn about tourism-related entrepreneurial endeavors, promotion of cultural arts, eco-tourism, and wildlife conservation to include snare clearing and protection of endangered vultures. The delegations will also meet local government officials, participate in a U.S. government-funded sports program with high school students and tour U.S. government-funded health facilities.

Ahead of the expedition, Ambassador Wharton said: “Zimbabwe and Zambia share one of the great natural wonders of the world: Victoria Falls.

“With spectacular landscapes and wildlife, this area is truly a world treasure and should be protected and nurtured for future generations from every country to cherish. It is also the foundation for a growing eco-tourism industry that can and should create jobs and bring development to the people of the area.”
The bike ride is being held to highlight the economic and conservation merits of tourism in the area ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly set to be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and Livingstone, Zambia, in August this year.
According to the Zimbabwe Tourism Association, Americans make up the largest group of non-African international tourists to Zimbabwe.
The diplomats and their celebrity cyclists will begin the ride in Zambia on Tuesday and finish on the Zimbabwe side of the Victoria Falls on Thursday.
Along the route, the two diplomats and their group will visit the national parks on both sides of the border, learning about snare clearing and endangered vultures, and meeting with disabled handicraft makers.
They will also meet local government officials, tour a U.S. government-funded family planning clinic, and visit the medical clinic that assists American tourists in the unfortunate need of medical evacuation.
Zimbabwe and Zambia will co-host the 20th UNWTO General Assembly from August 24-29 in Victoria Falls and Livingstone.
This is only the second time that Africa will host the UNWTO General Assembly, after Senegal in 2005.