AAG calls for Mutare airstrip refurbishment

Ngoni Dapira
AFFIRMATIVE Action Group has called for the refurbishment of the Mutare airstrip, saying it is the missing link for a tourism boom in the Eastern Highlands. AAG chief executive officer Dr Davison Gomo said this in an interview recently highlighting vital key areas that needed redress by Government to steer economic growth under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).

Dr Gomo said in order to foster economic growth under Zim-Asset and build on the $5 billion tourism target by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, there was need to refurbish the Mutare airstrip.

“The Mutare airstrip is a critical cog to boost the tourism industry in the Eastern Highlands.
“A conference centre of international standards to host international seminars is also another missing link . . .
“Tourism will remain fully untapped in the Eastern Highlands without these key infrastructures. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority also needs to market distinctive tourist destinations and attractions in the area (Eastern Highlands),” said Dr Gomo.

The Eastern Highlands, named the ‘‘Switzerland of Africa’’, is one of the most beautiful and scenic regions in Zimbabwe exalted for its natural splendour.
It ranges from the rolling countryside and timber plantations of the Nyanga range, to the granite peaks of the Chimanimani Mountains and the green botanical gardens and coffee plantations of the Vumba range.

Just like Switzerland, synonymous with mountains which have been the selling point of the Swiss tourism industry for more than 100 years, the Eastern Highlands can similarly boast such natural splendour but is not being extensively taken advantage of, according to local tourism players.
According to American travel agent Mr Rodney Loomis, direct flights help boost the tourism industry in an area.

“In Europe people are used to flying long distances. That is why direct flights are important for any country that wants to promote tourism in its key tourism destination areas.

“We organised the Israel tours and realised that direct flights convenience a lot of travellers. If there were flights directly to Mutare from Victoria Falls or Harare, there would definitely be an upsurge in the European and America tourists that visit Zimbabwe,” said Mr Loomis.

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe vice-president and executive chairman of Inns of Zimbabwe Mr Gordon Adams said the demilitarisation of the Grand Reef airstrip and refurbishment of the Mutare aerodrome was definitely a missing link to boost tourism in the Eastern Highlands.
“The Eastern Highlands has a lot to offer in terms of tourism in Nyanga, Vumba and Chimanimani.

“If there were direct local flights from Harare-Kariba-Victoria Falls to Mutare I am sure we would get more tourists because tourists are afraid of driving long distances in foreign lands on their own and prefer flying.

“This will boost business for the local travel agencies and car rental businesses in Mutare. Car rentals and tour packages businesses have since collapsed in Mutare over the years,” said Mr Adams.

Mr Adams said with the current plans by Government to open the skies, demilitarising the Grand Reef airstrip and refurbishing of Mutare aerodrome will be a strategic move to complement the development.

He added that ZTA was overlooking key potential tourist destinations in the Eastern Highlands.
“We can talk of the relaxing and scenic Vumba area with cozy hotels, inns and cottages for a perfect holiday or the magnificent Mutarazi Falls in Nyanga and Bridal Veil Falls in Chimanimani, all these need marketing.

“I understand ZTA has limited funding, but there is need for a multi-sectoral approach to make headway on this issue.
“ZTA is currently working with the Dutch Embassy, which is one way to expand marketing in Europe.

“Zimbabwe is a peaceful country, we are the Jerusalem of Africa and fast becoming sought-after as an ideal tourism destination, but we should complement this by developing our infrastructure, especially the airways and the road networks,” said Mr Adams.

White Horse Inn co-director Mr Frank Marembo said the modern-day world was all about cost cutting and time efficiency.
“People from Europe and America are used to flying. If we have local direct flights to key tourist destinations, this will boost our tourism industry. Direct flights also cut costs of hefty car hires from Harare to Mutare or Nyanga.

“Tourists will hire cars in Mutare which will cut costs and also create a car rental industry in Mutare and create employment,” said Mr Marembo.
During the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries congress held in Mutare in August, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa, said Government was under-resourced and handling infrastructure resuscitation projects gradually.

Mr Munodawafa called on private and public partnerships for the upgrading of the Mutare airport in the wake of inadequate resources by Government at the moment.
He said after the completion of the refurbishment of the Victoria Falls Airport, currently in progress, next on the list was the Buffalo Range Airport in Chiredzi.