HARARE - Resurfacing of the 900-metre tar patch at Victoria Falls Bridge has begun, as preparations for the United Nations World Tourism (UNWTO) organisation general assembly gather momentum.

Zimbabwe co-host the tourism mega global event with Zambia in August next year.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive Karikoga Kaseke in May said the tar patch needs concrete and cement surface to withstand wearing from water from the rain forest.

The project Kaseke said is expected to cost one million dollars and completed soon.

This development comes as the country is yet to make significant strides towards building a new four kilometre runway at Vitoria Falls airport to accommodate larger aircraft.

A new tower is also on the cards at the resort town airport.

The Victoria Falls bridge, completed in 1905, crosses the Zambezi River below the Victoria Falls and is built over the second gorge of the falls.

It is the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and has border posts on the approaches to both ends, at the towns of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone.

Apart from just being a passage between Zimbabwe and Zambia the bridge is a tourist attraction and has been described as the biggest piece of railway preservation outside of the Railway Museum in Bulawayo.

It provides a good view of the gorge at Victoria Falls and is the location for the 110 metre bungee jumping, bridge swing and slide.

The bridge receives more that 10 000 visitors per month, according to administration figures.