by Tourism correspondent

Zimbabwe has been ranked as the safest tourist destination which tourists can give first priority when borders are re-opened.

Most of the countries have put in place travel bans following Covid 19 pandemic that has so far claimed over one million lives and infected more than 33 million people across the globe.

The ranking was done by an American travel agency, Tourlane in collaboration with Johann Jones, former US Department of Defence staffer with over 15 years of international development experience with a strong focus on governance, socio-economic development and security in high and extreme risk countries.

Tourlane periodically offers guide to the safest places to travel once covid 19 induced travel bans are lifted. In their latest guide, Zimbabwe features at the top position of the 15 tourist destinations that were regarded as safe. Trailing Zimbabwe is Thailand with Sri Lanka placed at the base of the ranking.

Other African countries in the top 15 are Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Seychelles, Rwanda and Mauritius.

Tourlane looks at safety indicators such as Covid 19 cases, health regulations, population density, hours of sunlight and flight connections to the USA among others.

To be considered as a safe tourist destination, the country should also meet specifications such as: implementation of minimum standards against the coronavirus, availability of boutique hotels and B and Bs, self-drive or private guide options, secluded travel options, and cashless payment options.

Zimbabwe has already opened its tourism sector, a move that is expected to reboot the worst affected economic zone. The Southern African country is also expected to re-open its borders soon.

Ironically, Donald Trump’s administration lately regarded Zimbabwe as a country in crisis. Economic analysts say the Tourlane ranking goes to prove that the characterisation of Zimbabwe as a country in crisis was only done to achieve a nefarious political agenda.