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Walter Nyamukondiwa
Kariba Bureau
FOR more than 50 years, Gogo Maggi Mukochi and Sekuru Kaimpha Merika of Mahombekombe suburb in Kariba have watched from a distant with a yearning heart as boats criss-cross and traverse the vast Lake Kariba waters.
Coming into Kariba just after the construction of Kariba Dam in the early 1960s, Gogo Mukochi and Sekuru Merika could not afford water-based and other tourism activities and just like most people in Kariba today, cannot.
Now in their 80s, they had all along resigned to being spectators in the theatre of the tourism arena, the gigantic Lake Kariba, without any hope of ever venturing into the waters.
This has been the fate of most locals at the various tourism destinations and attraction across the country.
So near but yet so far.
Locals have simply been priced out or left out of the tourism matrix.
Tourism has always been considered to be for a select few with means.
That is soon going to change.
For Gogo Mukochi and Sekuru Merika, their long held dream came true on Friday when the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) took them and other members of the Kariba community for a boat cruise.
For more than two hours, the two enjoyed the life which until this week seemed like a distant and impossible dream together with other members of the Kariba community.
They could not contain their excitement as they disembarked from the self-contained Shikra Houseboat where they were pampered like royalty with succulent snacks, drinks and soothing music.
This was all made possible to the ZimBho, #iZimYami #Vakatsha, an initiative being spearheaded by Government through ZTA to promote domestic tourism and local travel.
Gogo Mukochi could not contain her excitement as she explained the new milestone in her 84 years of existence.
“This is my first time to be on boat and I am very grateful for the people who have made it possible including ZTA,” said Gogo Mukochi.
“I cannot contain my joy. I came to Kariba a long time ago. I have had my children here and this is my first time to be on a boat. This cannot be explained. I have always wanted to be on a boat but I could not afford.”
Her sentiments were also shared by Sekuru Merika who said the development would remain etched in his memory for the rest of his life.
“I came to Kariba in 1968 through Norton but I have not had the chance to be on a boat as I have done today.
“This is a very special day for me to be on a boat like this. This has never happened in my life. I am excited beyond measure and would like to thank those who have made this possible including the Government,” he said.
Speaking at the launch of ZimBho domestic tourism campaign in Kariba Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said the initiative was the first step towards igniting the desire for travel among locals.
“Today, is the first step towards creating demand of our existing tourism products and services through this domestic tourism campaign dubbed ZimBho #IzimYami #Vakatsha,” he said.
“This campaign is designed to focus mainly on the domestic market whose contribution to the economic growth and development is yet to be fully realised.”
The ZimBho campaign seeks to create among locals awareness of all attractions within Zimbabwe, develop a culture of travel, and increase the contribution of domestic tourism to the economy.
“I want to urge locals to think of going on holiday, plan for their holidays, experience our beautiful country, visit known and less known areas and those who do not ordinarily have an interest in travel, to be interested,” he said.
The Government, through the Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy has put in place measures to promote the growth of tourism underpinned by domestic tourism.
To that end, Government has exempted Value Added Tax on all tourism services for domestic tourists in a bid to reduce the prices being charged on tourism products and services.
However, the prices of most products are beyond the reach of many locals and the Minister acknowledged this during the launch of the ZimBho campaign saying some of the prices were ridiculous.
“In removing VAT, the Government had hoped that there will be a corresponding reduction in the cost of hospitality Institutions.
“I remain totally concerned that the rates charged by the hotels and lodges in Zimbabwe are still very high.
“I urge the industry to take stock of what is happening elsewhere, particularly in neighbouring countries and review your prices downwards.
“It is disturbing that an average breakfast costs US$25 or more in our hotels.
“That’s the price of a goat! Surely that cannot be justified regardless of even the much touted ‘high cost of doing business’ argument,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu urged the hospitality sector to focus on volumes rather than high margins.
Online Reporter