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Gibson Mhaka Business Reporter
BULAWAYO Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo says city hoteliers should up their game by developing new strategies and clear goals, which would help improve their services and products to attract investors. Speaking at a dinner to mark Bulawayo Club’s 120th anniversary on Friday, Clr Moyo said local hospitality players should not merely focus on the number of visitors but also look into ways of improving the tourism sector as a whole.
“We’re crying that there’s lack of investment in the city and that companies are closing or relocating to other regions but my message as Mayor is that local hoteliers should step up their game by coming up with new strategies and plans, which help improve their services and in turn attract investors to come to Bulawayo,” he said.
“Hoteliers should not always cry that there is little or no business in the city. There’s a need to improve services and products such that when visitors come they enjoy the hospitality of the city, which will automatically lead them to invest in the region.
“There’s also need to demonstrate to visitors that if you come and partner in my business you’ll enjoy the profits.”
Clr Moyo said opportunities to invest in Bulawayo still existed particularly in the tourism industry considering the city is the second largest in the country and does not have a five-star hotel, which can be used to host international conferences.
Speaking at the same occasion, the chairman of the Bulawayo Club, Ben Louw said their club was part of a team that was set up and supported by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko to re-establish industries in and around Bulawayo.
“The Bulawayo Club has been a pillar of Matabeleland for well over a century and the fact that it has managed to survive during great adversity is a true testimony of the support of the members and Bulawayo as a whole. It’s our vision that the Bulawayo Club with all its history be at the forefront of assisting the great city of Bulawayo and Matabeleland in developing the tourism industry,” he said.
“This iconic establishment has a huge role to play in this development and has many projects that are currently in progress both internally and externally. Our club is also part of the team that set up a number of projects for the re-establishment of industries in and around Bulawayo.”
Online Reporter