Harare — AFRICAN journalists attending the just-ended Federation of African Journalists congress in Zimbabwe have pledged to help market Victoria Falls as a tourist destination.

Speaking during a tour of the resort town, the journalists said Zimbabwe has developed a tourism sector worth visiting and promoting.

They said they would visit and do articles on the majestic Victoria Falls after being enchanted by one of the world's seven wonders.

Ekwe Henriettee of Cameroon said she had enjoyed her stay in Zimbabwe and was impressed with what she saw in Victoria Falls.

"Although I have been working in the hotel since my arrival and did not have an opportunity to visit the rural areas I want to say my stay has been pleasant.

"I am happy that I have been to the majestic Victoria Falls and I am impressed with what I have seen here.

"This is worth writing about and I will go and tell others of my experience. I can say as a tourist destination, Zimbabwe is a great country and has been able to preserve and keep safe its natural environment," she said.

Henriettee said her encounter with ministers in the inclusive Government was cordial and was also worth mentioning. Morgan Chonya of Zambia said the Victoria Falls was a unique scene that requires as much publicity as possible.

"We share the Victoria Falls and I won't hesitate to say I will write about this scenic beauty. Zimbabwe is full of beautiful people and that has enhanced the splendor of the country," he said.

Ghanaian Bright Blewu said Zimbabwe was endowed with a rich natural legacy that could be exploited by the entire continent.

"Zimbabwe has done well in not only conserving the beauty that is the Victoria Falls but also in developing facilities to complete the area.

"Compared to what we have in Ghana, Zimbabwe is miles ahead and that can be understandable given the importance of the area as a tourist attraction," he said.

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists secretary-general and FAJ vice president Foster Dongozi said they decided, as a host country, to take the journalists to Victoria Falls so that they help market the resort town.

"We felt the visit was an opportunity for the journalists to be ambassadors of the resort town . . . for them to experience the beauty of Victoria Falls because if you have not been to Victoria Falls (then) you have not been to Zimbabwe.

"This will give them an opportunity to talk about the area and recommend it to people in their countries," he said.

Speaking at a dinner hosted on Saturday, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi invited the journalists to sample as much of Zimbabwe tourist attractions so that they help market the country.

"We understand the importance of the media, that is why Government is working on opening its media space. Although we are not doing everything correct, we feel Zimbabwe is doing the majority of the things right."

"Owing to bad publicity, Zimbabwe is ranked 121 as a tourist destination and that is the importance of the media in Zimbabwe.

"We want to appreciate Africa for standing strongly by our candidature to sit in the World Tourism Council.

"The media has stood with us to tell the true Zimbabwean story and through such support Zimbabwe is ranked as one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world, beaten only by Qatar and Lebanon," he said

FAJ members who were flown to the resort centre courtesy of the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity had an opportunity to see the falls form the Victoria Falls rainforest, Victoria Falls Bridge and went on a boat cruise.