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In an interview, acting general manager of Rainbow Hotel, Mr Ronald Matte, said during the festive season hotels in cities were usually quiet in comparison to resort hotels.
“This year we registered a decline in bookings during the festive season since most of our guests have travelled to resort towns like Victoria Falls, Nyanga and Masvingo.
“Most of our clients who usually book conference rooms for events have closed their companies for the festive season hence the low number of bookings,” said Mr Matte.
He said in comparison to last year there had been significant growth in the number of bookings with most clients being in transit.
“During the festive season most of the clients we receive are in transit from Botswana and South Africa to resort towns which are located near natural attractions,” he said.
The president of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ), Mr Tich Hwingwiri, said the festive season was an exciting season for the hospitality industry since the sector experienced an influx of tourists from within and outside the country.
“Through a survey, our resort hotels have registered 75 to 80 percent room occupancy between 23 to 26 December while the shoulder days are registering 60 percent bookings,” said Mr Hwingiri.
He said in the year 2012 the hospitality sector had experienced an estimated growth of 10 percent, with significant improvement in domestic tourism.
“Hotels and lodges located in towns have registered 40 percent bookings since most of the people are travelling to resort towns,” he said.
Mr Hwingiri said the hospitality sector had begun preparations for next year’s United Nations World Tourism Organisation annual general assembly through soft furnishings to bring hotels and lodges in line with international standards.
Mrs Beauty Bhulu, the managing director of Glen Lodge, said the lodges around Bulawayo were not busy since most of their clientele were out of the city for the festive season.
“During the festive season we usually host churches that hold conferences while there are few bookings by tourists in transit through Bulawayo.
“We are hopeful that next year will be a busy year with an increase in bookings since the country is set to host the UNWTO conference next year,” said Mrs Bhulu.
She said the lodges had begun refurbishing their rooms to meet international standards although she cited financial constraints as a hindrance with banks not forthcoming with loans.
Online Reporter