The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) said on Thursday that it is hopeful that the Victoria Falls marathon will go a long way in marketing the country as a safe tourism destination.

The inaugural Victoria Falls marathon will be held this Sunday and the event is being sponsored by Wild Frontiers South Africa in conjunction with the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe.

The marathon is expected to attract middle and long-distance athletes from neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Zambia as well as runners from Swaziland, Lesotho and Malawi.

And ZTA is convinced that the event will help in marketing Zimbabwe as a safe tourism destination.

"ZTA has been instrumental in having this event in Zimbabwe and has assisted in mobilizing the necessary support from different stake holders. We ensure that the event takes place smoothly. We have also been promoting the event within the framework of our destination promotion," said Givemore Chidzidzi, the ZTA marketing executive.

Chidzidzi said international athletes coming to Zimbabwe will tell the Zimbabwean story and Victoria Falls in particular when they go back to their respective countries.

Chidzidzi said the Victoria Falls marathon was also going to receive a lot of media coverage both locally and internationally and this will help promote the resort town.

He also said the hosting of the race will set the tone for sports tourism as well as smart partnership with sport associations as the country looks forward to reap huge benefits in 2010 when South Africa hosts the World Cup soccer finals.

The Victoria Falls marathon will start on the Zimbabwean side of the falls and the participants will cross over the bridge towards Zambia before returning to Zimbabwe to complete the full distance.

Source: Xinhua