Carnival up in smoke

Carnivals are the world over not entirely about merry making and enjoyment — far from it! There is a business twist which the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is trying to harness and that is to draw tourists from outside our borders to come and enjoy the carnival spirit. But most carnivals come with warmer weather.

Zimbabwe in May does have cold spells. In fact, our winter does consist of cold fronts moving across Southern Africa followed by far more clement days. So all now hope that with the latest cold front petering out, there is a good chance of some decent weather, drier and less chilly, prevailing.

But organisers cannot be blamed for not being able to predict months in advance just when a high pressure cell will hit Cape Town and then arrive in Harare a few days later.
The “Carnival Gospel” held at the Glamis Stadium was washed away, and organisers might have to think in future events how to hold large events under some sort of cover. Large awnings might be the best solution if romantic musical evenings under the bright stars turn suddenly into damp evenings under the clouds.

Late May is, in any case, a dodgy time. The balmy weather of late April, when everything is still green but the rains have largely ended, might give a better time slot, although Hifa seems to dominate that slot.

Last but least, throughout the world it is well known that elections are now due in June. Like it or not, already people are gearing up for elections and that alone needs perception management.

We gather the ZTA did well in managing the perception about Zimbabwe and now it was time to focus on destination marketing.
Whenever there is talk of elections especially here in Zimbabwe almost always the foreign media become hostile. The question is will the ZTA be in a position to counter the negative perceptions within that week of the carnival?

Sugar Chagonda, the ZTA head of public relations, said the carnival was a culmination of meetings with stakeholders who thought it best to hold it at this time of the year.
He also regretted the failure by the Brazilian samba dancers to attend the carnival. At least 14 countries are expected to grace the carnival.