Organiser of the Falls Fest 2009, Martin Vaughan, confirmed on the night, ‘Our intention was to put Vic Falls back on the map. For years we have lost a stream of visitors to Zambia and for good reason. Now it’s time to show what we can offer again!’

South African award-winning band Watershed were inspired to come to the Falls. hich Craig Hinds, the lead singer, confirmed on the night, ‘We do 30 gigs a year in Cape Town which is a two hour flight for us and Vic Falls is only an hour and half – we can’t believe its taken us this long to get here’. The band has enjoyed phenomenal success with their hit single Indigo Girl which was greeted by a roar from the sweaty, heaving crowd cheering towards the stage.

Vaughan further confirmed that Falls Fest 2010 is cast in stone with three bands already confirmed. Although he remained tight lipped about who they were he could confirm that Falls Fest 2010 was going to be three times bigger and would play out over a three-day music festival. ‘We’re going to put on a show similar to V-fest or Coke Fest in South Africa where a number of up and coming bands as well as established bands come together to offer an unrivalled musical journey in one of the world’s most adventurous destinations,’ he said.

Operators of the popular river rafting confirmed that December 30, 2009 was one of the busiest they had experienced in years, reminiscent of the ‘good old days’ when Zimbabwe’s tourism industry was a major foreign currency earner for the country.

Over the years Victoria Falls has taken shape into a world class adventure destination. High Wire Adrenalin, The Foofie Slide, Gorge Swing, Abseil, Rap Jump, The Flying Fox and the well known Bungee jumping that started it all are only some of the air activities on offer today. Para sailing, helicopter rides and micro-lighting are other ways to get airborne, while the raging torrents of the mighty Zambezi now offer boogie boarding, canoeing, fishing and the world famous white water rafting.

For more leisurely pursuits the options also seem endless with sunset cruises, wine routes, dinner cruises, elephant rides, lion walks and game viewing to name a few.

The Falls Fest has proved once again the tenacity and iron will to succeed of Zimbabwean tour operators. The waiters, performers, accommodation owners, curio crafters, taxi drivers and were also given a helping hand this year to bring more visitors to the area and Falls Fest is set to become Victoria Falls, and possibly Zimbabwe’s, watershed moment.  - Venues4Africa.com

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