Published by the government of Zimbabwe
17 April 2008
Harare — This year's hunting season, set to run from May until October, is expected to record an increase in foreign hunters participating, the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said on yesterday.
Currently, about 23 foreign hunters mostly from the United States and Spain have confirmed their participation with the number expected to rise to about 30 at the start of the hunting show. Last year, about 15 foreign hunters came to Zimbabwe.
The National Parks attributed the anticipated increase in foreign hunters to an aggressive marketing campaign carried out in recent months, which has seen the country showcasing its brand at international hunting exhibitions. "The steady rise in the number of foreign tourists is a result of our marketing strategy meant to portray Zimbabwe as an ideal tourist destination with attractive features," said Retired Major Edward Mbewe, spokesperson for the Wildlife Authority.
"We have participated in various international hunting exhibitions in Europe and America with the aim of marketing the Zimbabwean product, this effort is being complemented by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority." He also attributed the rise in foreign tourists to the ideal hunting environment that Zimbabwe offers as well as the high quality of trophies. "Zimbabwe offers a typical wilderness hunting experience which is exciting to foreign tourists," he said. "The trophies are also of high quality."
The rise in the population of buffaloes and sables, Mbewe added, was also wooing foreign hunters to Zimbabwe. "A rapid rise in the population of wildlife has also attracted foreign and local hunters," he said. Previous hunting seasons have generated in excess of US$40 million with elephant trophies contributing about US$12 million.
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