European Tourism News is an informational blog destined to present information`s about European Council on Tourism and Trade activities.
European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) is the leading world and regional tourism organization representing a market of 800 millions costumers from all around Europe with members and delegations in 28 countries.
The unveiling of the title for WINEMAKER of THE YEAR for 2014 and the public presentation of best European wines had succeeded in gathering in the same spot the wine connoisseur’s community of Europe, Romania and the entire world on the venue of the International Wine Fair.
George Malutan is the official WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
Diplomats from Europe, Asia and Africa, members of European Council on Tourism and Trade, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and countless personalities had convened on the spot, eager to know the names of 2014 best of wines and their makers.
The organizers decided that: the name of the BEST WINEMAKERS should be accompanied by the tasting of their prized creations.
The award ceremony and the tasting session had commenced by a Feteasca Neagra (Black Girl) from Dominium series of Cotnari House of Wine, a perfect red wine that encompassed with distinction the work of the wining George Malutan, the winner of WINEMAKER of THE YEAR designation.
Feteasca Neagra-one of the award wining creation of world fame of Mr. George Malutan.
Mr. George Malutan had proven himself by long term and successful efforts in creating COTNARI-Hose of Wine products.
Wines such as the Feteasca Neagra, had conquered the hearts and mind of diplomats at the DIPLOMATIC WINE contest for 2015, but also Mr. Malutan creations won many gold and silver medals, in the last span of time in International Wine Contests and tasting ceremonies. All this achievements bestow a perfect international recognition for his wines created for the portfolio of COTNARI House of Wines.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European council on Tourism and Trade had eulogized the wines created by Mr. George Malutan as perfectly capturing the terroirs specificity of Moldavia-region of Romania and european traditions and respecting the long lasting tradition of wine making of the areas.
His creations are garnering the art of wine production together with the latest technologies specific to the New World wines.
The result is a perfect calibrated wine, this is a living proof that old European wineries can be still seductive created with the new technologies and can lead in the world top of wines.
European wines did not said their final word on the world stage, concluded Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
The wine maker for COTNARI Hose of Wines-THE BEST WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR, Mr. George Malutan had inscribed in his wall of trophy’s the promotion of specific Romanian wines such as: White Girl (Feteasca Albă) and Black Girl (Feteasca Neagră), Fat Lady of Cotnari (Grasa de Cotnari) benefiting by a unique aroma and taste and aromatized assortments such as: Romanian Incense (Tamaioasa Romaneasca) and Bohotin Basil (Busuioaca de Bohotin).
On 11th of August 2014 President Dr. Anton Caragea had offered an interview regarding his recent trip to Zimbabwe and stated that:
Our familiarization trip has in his core to express our support for the incredible development of tourism in Zimbabwe under the care and benevolent support of H.E President Robert Mugabe, the celebrated African hero and with the efficient and lofty supervision of Minister Walter Mzembi and Tourism authority of Zimbabwe chairman- Karikoga Kaseke declared H.E. President Anton Caragea.
Our fact finding tourism mission must also mark the start of rebuilding European-Zimbabwe relations, the end of the futile and unnecessary sanctions and to mark the fact that tourism in Zimbabwe is the perfect, safe, luxury and ideal vacation spot for all the world tourists.
After our visit and after receiving the world highest tourism honor the tourism in Zimbabwe has become world recognized, perfect placed in the world spotlight and all the tourism agency has already started or will soon start to include in their travel program the perfect scenic destination of Zimbabwe.
We succeded in ending the separation between tourism community and in a few years Zimbabwe, if continues the policy of President Robert Mugabe and Academician Walter Mzembi will surpass all the tourism competitors in the region.
The days of betterment and perfect development of tourism in Zimbabwe are right ahead concluded European Council on Tourism and Trade`s President his report over his visit to Zimbabwe-the gem of Africa- WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2014.
The European Council on Tourism and Trade high level delegation has toured Zimbabwe-WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2014 in order to express the European support for the development of tourism industry in Zimbabwe and clearly mark the fact that Zimbabwe has developed into the epitome of high class tourism in Africa.
The visit made between 28 May-6 June 2014 by an European delegation headed by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade was destined to restart the bilateral relation between Europe and the Republic of Zimbabwe and the southern region of Africa, a region in full economic development and with a long tradition of partnership with our country.
H.E. President Robert Gabriel Mugabe-a true African hero and President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
During the visit Professor Dr. Anton Caragea was welcomed by H.E. President of Republic of Zimbabwe-Robert Gabriel Mugabe who stated that: is exuding with love and gratitude for the visit of Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
President Robert Mugabe express his gratitude for Professor Dr. Anton Caragea continuous support in promoting Zimbabwe integration in international tourism arena and stated than: when others where plotting to punish us you think at rewarding us and make us friends. From the profundity of our heart: Tank you Professor !
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea at his turn praised president Mugabe stating that: the world did not forget the ten years spent in the dungeons of the colonial rule, the world did not forget the 20 years of revolutionary activity at the risk of the life and personal peace, spent in the opposition to the absurd regime of apartheid and segregation of Old time Rhodesia.
As we do not forget the word of reconciliation spoken after this years of struggle, ten years before Nelson Mandela similar example: “If yesterday I fought you as an enemy, today you have become a friend,” “If yesterday you hated me, today you cannot avoid the love that binds me to you.”
We will never forget that 35 years ago from Harare you have called all nations of Africa to wake up from the long colonial sleep to a new and rich life of fulfillment`s.
Your name is and will be forever inscribed for me and for all the honest people of the world along the names of the fathers of free Africa:Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta etc. as a giant of liberation and freedom fight in Africa and the world.
President Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Professor Dr. Anton Caragea leading WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD ceremony.
Other meeting where held by H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea with Hon. J.T.R Majuru- Vice-President of Republic of Zimbabwe, S.K.Moyo-Senior Minister (Prime Minister) of Zimbabwe, Hon. N. Goche-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Tourism Walter Mzembi etc.
During the discussion, foreign policy cooperation, opening of honorary consulates and economic cooperation councils as well as economic and investment opportunities where tabled offering opportunity for European countries to take part in the business boom and bonanza of southern region of Africa and specially the Republic of Zimbabwe buoyant economic environment.
The European delegation enjoyed a sophisticated cultural program with visit to the History Museum of Harare, National Heroes Acre and to the wonderful UNESCO heritage site of Great Zimbabwe-the largest African palatial complex dating from XII century and covering 700 hectares and a chance to discover the world greatest cascade: Victoria waterfall.
In sign of honor Professor Dr. Anton Caragea occupied the Winston Churchill apartment in the famous Victorian hotel of Victoria Falls.
The high level visit, the first after a 25 year hiatus in bilateral relation offered to the parties the opportunity to table concrete cultural, tourism and cooperation projects and to highlight the bilateral support for the development of the social and political cooperation.
The Republic of Zimbabwe becomes now the main political and strategic partner in the region of southern Africa, offering innumerable opportunities for developing friendly ties.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his delegation take a helicopter tour over Victoria Fall bordering Zimbabwe and Zambia
Victoria Water Fall observed from helicopter (3.000 meters).
Victoria Falls-the world largest cascade.
Professor Dr. Anton Caragea touring Great Zimbabwe(the biggest African palatial complex dating from XII century)
In the heart of Great Zimbabwe historical complex
Elephant safari in the desert heart of Zimbabwe
President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea gives an interview to Zimbabwe National Television.
H.E. President of the Republic of Zimbabwe-Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the african liberation lofty personality, has presented the official acceptance speech on behalf of people and government of Zimbabwe for the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AND FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION awards for the country.
This is the text of this inspiring speech presented by the most famous leader of Africa of today:
I want I thank for this event to: The Honorable Vice-President Joice Mujuru
The Speaker of the House of Assembly and advocate Jacob Mudenda,
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry comrade Walter Mzembi and all ministers here present,
Foremost to The President of European Council on Tourism and Trade, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and all members of his delegation,
Minister of Culture Andrew Langa , traditional leaders, all minister here presence,
Members of the diplomatic core,
Ladies and gentlemen`s, dear comrades,
I'm pleased though not surprised at all that the European Council on Tourism and Trade had seen fit to give the awards for the BEST TOURIST DESTINATION for 2014 and the distinction for FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINTION for 2014 to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's is indeed endowed with bountiful natural resources and rich cultural history
In addition our country is adjudged by relevant experts to poses the best climate in the word making it: an attracting tourism destination all year around
All thou like anyone else we can experience dramatic climate conditions, the impact on us is not that devastating , Zimbabwe can conform his reputation as an ideal tourism destination, but destinations might be mere geographical entities, it have to be destinations with people, and it is the people that are making destination to worth the talk, and is therefore the people of Zimbabwe we should be praised for the destination to be as warm as is proofed to be, Zimbabwe together with many other countries in southern Africa has succeeded to preserved much of his natural biodiversity in both flora and fauna, indeed we are home to some of the
Of the most sought after and rare animals in the world, including the big five: the elephant- huge, the lion- feroces, the rhino-quiet, but harmful, the leopard-there is stealthy but also blood thirsty and buffalo.
Of all this, the one we say is the most friendly maybe the buffalo, it is the only one of them but it is just one but the others do not provide the thing that we want to eat. I don’t know if the lion is eatable, less still do I know if the rhino or leopard are eatable anywhere but the elephant is, I did not tasted before I was in the prison where they serve us with elephant meet, it but I can tell you that I never like it I never tasted it after prison. I was afraid and who could not be afraid to eat the elephant ?
Who would obviously not be frighten to eat the elephant?
I am indeed proud that the iconic physical tourist attraction that we have in the country that include: Victoria Falls, the Eastern Highlands, the Mana Pools and off course the Exfoliated Hills in Manicaland, all must have influence the European Council on Tourism and Trade to select out of 27 nominated country to select Zimbabwe as the winner of the BEST DESTINATION AWARD.
It is our capacity to give tourists from all the corners of the world access to all our country natural features, the opportunity for tourists to explore nature in his ecological environment, must have strongly contributed to ECTT decision to grant us the awards that we just received today.
Ladies and Gentleman’s
While our country rich historical and cultural legacy has caught the et ye of ECTT, the venerable Great Zimbabwe, a fortified palatial complex that must have being build in 12 century, must played his part , the Great Zimbabwe from whom our great country is deriving his name is offering a rare insight into one of the greatest pre-colonial civilization of Africa and indeed a rare window into centuries of traditions.
Indeed countrymen, the winning of this award should must be a wakeup call to many, to realize the many historical treasures that we own.
How many of us are aware of the many historical treasure that we own ?
How many are aware that our national monuments in Manicaland are dating back from stone age period ?
Many of this natural sites, that are now on the list of UNESCO human heritage site, can and should be leveraged, to attract international visitors to Zimbabwe
I believe is equally important for our people both children and adults to know and visit this site, yes we can share them with world and can be said that that we hold them entrust for humanity , but they remain first and foremost our own, they defined our zimbabweness cultural diversity.
Cultural diversity in way of life and way of life showing itself in our interaction, marriages but much, much more pleasantly in song and dance and you heard today that diversity coming out from Reverend Damasani poetic rendering.
A gifted man indeed!
O gifted musician, but a gifted moralist, man of prayer, man of God,
We need to be thoroughly familiar with them and be proud with them. Some time I think that Zimbabweans are not knowing their country endowment, beside mineral gold, and precious stones, perhaps Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality should launch a know your Zimbabwe! , know yourself campaign!
To facilitate, to know our country.
I must pay a tribute to this young person they call Minister Mzembi, now the only surviving minister of tourism in Africa, or in the world, so he says
I rate him as one of my best ministers.
Foresight, full of brilliant ideas that are not remaining just in the mind, they take the form of action and practice.
Yes, he has gallivanted the world: East, West, North South, but every step he took, was to make better know Zimbabwe, two make the people better know, to make the reaches of Zimbabwe better known.
We still have so many not unknown, some of them where known and dig out, but thanks God we still have them and we start to discovering them for ourselves.
Let the world to know us and to know us fully: that we are a peaceful people but a proud people as well, and when it comes about natural resources s committed to be their owners, jealous of them.
Fighters against imperialism and colonialism because it wants to displace us, as in deed they have displaced us for nearly a century, and we are owners and in possession of our wealth.
A wealth that we discovered !
Even our past was sometime ugly, difficult for our ancestors, but let it be know our immediate past even as well as our contemporary history.
Is in this context that we emphasize the importance of our history of liberating Zimbabwe from colonial bondage and it is in this context that we want to emphasize the importance of writing the history because was not just the liberation of the people but the liberation of a people and their resources and their the tourist attraction as well.
Must people commemorate the major historical wars going back to centuries, our war of liberation was, only yesterday, comparatively specking, we should not risk erase it from our memories
But we should preserved our pride history
We won a great war the often pitted poorly armed, often shoeless peasants against experienced, well armed, ruffles mercenaries, but we won it, against all odds.
It was a people war, not just a ZANU ZAPU ZAMPLA ZIBRA war. No!
Those where fronts, fronts of the people of Zimbabwe in their diversity and thus where fronts of determined people, determined to fight for our people, their people, our people.
We should never forget our people together, whatever their cultural believes religious, cultural, political, they are our people and hence the need for the unity of our people, unity in diversity,
We need to enshrined all location of majors battles indeed and grow them into iconic attractions, that our visitors and our posterity will visit and value them for all time.
They become visiting places, tourist attraction.
They will naturally evoke memories, but they should never, even if they made us angry sometimes, they should never make us to want to fight again, but should make us to be always ready against the enemy, against thus who want to pull the same trick already that they put against us in 1890 lasting up to 1980 we say No. Never again!
Ladies and gentlemen, comrades and friends, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.
Let me conclude by saying:
Thank you to you to European Council on Tourism and Trade-ECTT for these awards
We should thank you for your magnanimity, I say magnanimity because at this juncture, during this time, at this time.
When others are thinking at punishing us more, you are thinking of making us more a friend than enemy. We are thanking you; we are exuding with friendship and love for others who equally may exude with love and friendship to us.
It is that interaction of love, love of nations, and love of people that we in Zimbabwe we want to work for.
Let me conclude by saying that I ‘am greatly enthusiastic and appreciative and full of pride for all the decision taken by European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) to give this awards to Zimbabwe.
If the countries that have win these awards in the past are anything to go by, the European Council on Tourism and Trade has a very powerful and transparent desire to draw all the world's attention to the tourism potential in developing countries
Thank you for that
This award is having the effect of putting the winner under the global limelight and I want to say that we have this limelight, thanks to the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) and thanks to you the Zimbabweans for demonstrating that you love others in the world.
We are now in the global limelight!
I want to promise to the European Council on Tourism and Trade that we shall continue to increase our efforts to leverage the potential that you have identified in us and always make Zimbabwe a preferred tourist destination in the world, a people loving people’s destination.
And I want to assure you that this is what are we working for: peace and harmony in Zimbabwe, peace and harmony in the region, and peace and harmony in the world
I want to say once again thank you to European Council on Tourism and Trade for these awards, we shell treasure them for all time.
On the occasion of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION 2014 elections, the Academic Board of European Council on Tourism and Trade has decided to co-opt as his newest honorary academic member- Mr. Walter Mzembi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe.
Academician Mircea Constantinescu presenting his welcoming speech for Minister Walter Mzembi.
The decision comes natural, as Minister Walter Mzembi succeeded in profusely supporting the successful candidature of Zimbabwe to the highest tourism honor- WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.
After being voted as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2014, Zimbabwe has become the first African country to hold this honor, a sign of African resurgence and of closer ties with Europe.
The decision to award the HONORARY ACADEMICIAN TITLE has come not only after the successful Zimbabwe bid for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD, but in recognition of the extensive academic activity realized by Minister Walter Mzembi in the last span of time.
From the large list of academic qualification of Mr. Walter Mzembi the academic committee has appreciated his studies in: Mechanical Engineering, Diplomas in Business and Governance Studies (USA), Business Administration and Doctorate in management (Mexico) etc.
The decision was taken in consensus on 3rd of May 2014 and was communicated to Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe-Mr. Walter Mzembi in Harare on 29 May 2014.
Senator Ionel Agrigoroaei and Director of European Tourism Academy are offering warm appreciation to Minister of Tourism of Zimbabwe-Dr. Walter Mzembi.
In his welcoming speech in the European Academy, Professor Mircea Constantinescu has praised the first African leader accepted in the European Academy-Minister Walter Mzembi: Dr. Walter Mzembi is at the same time a great patriot. He loves his country, Zimbabwe, and the people of Zimbabwe. He put his enthusiasm, energy and knowledge in making a better life for the people and promoting the image of his country all over the world (…..)
Dr. Walter Mzembi is a born communicator and diplomat. And this is not a pure laudation. The recognition of his merits in this area are confirmed by the appreciation of the Institute of Public Relations, by the African Travel Association, by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, by the Institute Of Cultural Diplomacy, and by many other national and international professional bodies.
Professor Mircea Constantinescu is offering the welcoming presentation for the first African leader accepted in the European Academy-Minister Walter Mzembi.
In the end of the ceremony Senator Ionel Agrigoroaei handed out the academician insignia and European Council on Tourism and Trade President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea invited the new academician Walter Mzembi to take his place amongst his peers.
Gratitude speech for European Tourism Academy from Academician Walter Mzembi.
After being nominated as Academician- Honorary Member of European Tourism Academy Mr. Walter Mzembi becomes the voice of African continent in relation with Europe and in the world tourist stage opening the gates of prosperity and recognition for his fellow ministers from Africa and creating new opportunities of engagement between Africa and Europe in tourism, culture and economic cooperation.
The Press Office of the European Council on Tourism and Trade is announcing that fallowing the familiarization and evaluation trip to Zimbabwe two new hotels has being added to the list of TOP LUXURY HOTELS: Meikles and Victoria Fall for their long history of achievements and is encouraging all the traveler`s interested in discovering Africa to visit Zimbabwe-World Best Tourist Destination in 2014 and to benefit the best’s hotel’s that Africa is having to offer: Meikles Harare Hotel and Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria.
On the occasion of Zimbabwe familiarization trip for European Council on Tourism and Trade Organization (ECTT), the director of hospitality and amenities department of ECTT: Mr. Ioan Matei has assessed the accommodation, amenities and tourism facilities existent in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION IN 2014! Come an visit !
As a result of this first hand observation, for a period comprised between 29 May-7 June 2014, ECTT department of hospitality and amenities is recommending as ones of the best African hotels, offering luxurious condition and a perfect structured management: the Victoria Fall Hotel in Victoria Falls and Meikles Hotel in Harare (part of The Leading Hotels of the World).
Victoria Falls Hotel-one of the Best Luxury Hotels in Africa
The two hotels are fully complying with international standards, are offering luxury and full five stars commodities, safety and large are of opportunities for a lavish stay in the heart of Africa: Zimbabwe.
As the country was named as World Best Tourist Destination in 2014 is expected to receive in the next two years large number of international tourists, and the need for recommendation of luxury hotels is in full spring.
Victoria Falls Hotels is priding himself as having 180 rooms decorated in a manner that recaptures the comfortable charm of a bygone age, with colonial prints, four-poster and canopied beds, antique furniture and well-chosen artifacts. Modern facilities and amenities mingle well with the old-fashioned ambience, including such 21st century travellers’ necessities as personal safes, minibars, bathrobes, digital satellite television and even umbrellas for the convenience of guests visiting the Rain Forest surrounding the Falls. Deluxe Rooms and Suites in the original section of the hotel offer breathtaking views across the deep Zambezi River gorge to the Victoria Falls Bridge and the spray of the Falls.
The home of choise for royalty for the last 100 years: VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL
Victoria Falls Hotel has being home for more that 100 years to the royalty of Europe, their list of guests in this period being a true who’s who of the world.
The second recommended luxury establishment is Meikles Hotel in Harare that is celebrating a 100 year history and has always envisioned a commitment to the “highest possible standard of service and product” – something that has become enshrined in the Meikles culture. It has always been an iconic landmark of capital city Harare, one which has constantly and gracefully evolved through the colonial era of Rhodesia into modern- day Zimbabwe. Its position in the heart of the city has allowed its walls to bear witness to many events that have shaped the Zimbabwe’s past.
Today Meikles-Harare is offering an atmosphere steeped in history, combining the charm of the old with the comfort and convenience of today.
Meikles Hotel-Harare-Best African Luxury Hotel in 2014.
The team of ECTT is warmly congratulates the two hotels: Meikles and Victoria Fall for their long history of achievements and is encouraging all the travellers interested in discovering Africa to visit Zimbabwe-World Best Tourist Destination in 2014 and to benefit the best’s hotel’s that Africa is having to offer: Meikles Harare Hotel and Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria.
