Zimbabwe is hosting eight journalists from the Middle East as part of its "perception management programme", the state-owned Herald newspaper reported on Friday.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) had invited the reporters — who are mainly travel writers — "to see, first-hand, the situation in Zimbabwe", the online version of the state newspaper said.

The paper quoted a Dubai-based British journalist as saying she "felt safe in Zimbabwe".

"I feel pretty welcome in Zimbabwe. I was greeted with smiling faces and I'm interested in seeing what the situation in Zimbabwe is like," said Kate Hazell of ITP, a publishing group in Dubai.

Another journalist, Adam Wilson of AMG media group, reportedly told the newspaper: "Zimbabwe is an amazing country with friendly people."

ZTA Chief Executive Karikoga Kaseke said another delegation from Japan, with journalists, travel agencies and tour operators was scheduled to arrive in Zimbabwe at the weekend "as part of this aggressive tourism marketing campaign".

"It is our hope that when they go back to their markets, they will be reporting about Zimbabwe from an informed position," said Kaseka.

He added that he hoped the Japanese delegation would lobby their government after the visit to reconsider its travel warnings against Zimbabwe, which is currently on level 2 and does not permit its citizens to visit the country.

Zimbabwe is preparing for a presidential run-off election on 27 June. The run-up has been marred by violence and more than 70 opposition supporters have been killed since the first round of elections at the end of March.

Meanwhile, food agencies have warned of famine in the strife-torn southern African country, saying nearly half of all Zimbabweans will be at risk of famine by the end of the year due to a maize shortfall.

Sapa