adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
THE country’s tourism sleeping giant – Kariba – emerged from the woods on Friday morning when Air Zimbabwe re-launched its flight for the Harare-Kariba-Vic Falls route.The Harare-Kariba route was re-launched after a seven-year break and will be serviced by the 52-seater Chinese made MA60 aircraft, in a development set to stimulate the country’s economic growth through tourism.
The development will also further enhance connectivity between the twin resorts of Kariba and Victoria Falls where in the past one had to travel to Harare to connect to Victoria Falls.
The national airline which was welcomed in Kariba with a traditional water canon salute will be plying the Harare-Kariba-Vic Falls route three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. One will have to part with at least $170 for a return trip from Harare to Kariba. Return tickets to Vic Falls from Kariba have been pegged from $190 while a one way trip will cost $110.
The 45-minute scheduled flight departs the Harare International Airport at 0930hrs arriving at the Kariba Airport at 1020hrs. Flights from Kariba leave at 1550hrs and arrive in Harare at 1640hrs.
Speaking at the re-launch ceremony held aboard the Zambezi Trader boat on Friday afternoon, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Retired Brigadier Walter Kanhanga said before the illegal economic sanctions, Kariba attracted domestic and international tourists.
“The illegal sanctions imposed on our nation by the West crippled our tourism critical services such as air travel. The government did not just sit and watch as our tourism industry was battered in all directions. The event today is a direct response to the President’s call and I am glad our efforts have come to fruition,” he said.
Rtd Brig Kanhanga said the flights by the national flag carrier would significantly increase the number of tourists and visitors to Kariba and other parts of Mashonaland West province.
“Air Zimbabwe has a positive effect on business including employment creation and downstream industry. Tour operators and lodges can now expect higher volume of business.”
Rtd Brig Kanhanga said the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) specifically called for improved tourism and this could be achieved if the transport infrastructure was in order.
“The return of Air Zimbabwe demonstrates the efforts that the government and Air Zimbabwe have put towards the implementation of Zim-Asset,” he said.
Deputy Minister for Transport and Infrastructural Development, Cde Petronella Kagonye, said government would ensure that Air Zimbabwe stays afloat so that it feeds into the country’s tourism industry and helps unlock business opportunities in line with the country’s socio-economic blueprint.
It was clear the community of Kariba was yearning for the return of Air Zimbabwe to their destination — if the crowds which flocked the Kariba Airport to welcome the plane are anything to go by. The re-launch of Air Zimbabwe in Kariba was well received by tour operators in the resort town.
“There is no luxury coach from Harare to Kariba and this made it hard for tourists to visit this town. At least with the return of Air Zimbabwe, tourists will have a better and quicker way of travelling,” said Nkosi Nyoni, a tour operator based in Kariba.
Other operators expressed hope that the resumption of Air Zimbabwe flights to the resort town would result in more tourists which would lead to job creation. Plans are underway for the national carrier to resume flights to Hwange and Buffalo Range.
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