Vusumuzi Dube
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
ZIMBABWEANS, both locally and in the diaspora, have been urged to support local tourism and contribute significantly to the holiday season traffic.
This year, an uptick in domestic tourism is expected, particularly following the recent launch of the Domestic Tourism Festive Season travel campaign by Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central Province.
The campaign aims at encouraging spending from annual bonuses and savings to enhance the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In an interview, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) vice-president Mr Farai Chimba said the tourism sector was geared up for the upcoming festive season with players anticipating a significant increase in domestic travel over the festive season.
“Investments in the tourism sector across the country are estimated to be just over US$152 million in the past year showing viability as a contributor to the GDP. Investments showcase preparations that are being done to improve offerings and these investments are key to providing our clientele with the latest and quality products so we create value,” he said.
He said with choice, growing investment in physical, marketing and human capital will be among the top priorities going forward.
Mr Chimba said given the increasing demand of domestic travel, packages were crucial, calling in hospitality and tourism sector players to create affordable memorable experiences for their clients.
He added: “On the backdrop of schools closing early and opening slightly later in January 2025, bookings in resort towns and provincial cities are positive and enquiries at this stage are converting to actual bookings. Domestic tourism plays a huge role in any country and tourism players’ value the festive season.”
Mr Chimba said with a projected influx of domestic travellers coupled with diaspora returnees, exciting festive packages have been launched in preparation.
He said the recent Domestic Tourism Festive Season campaign launched by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry heralds the festive season start which they are actively promoting.
Mr Chimba said festive menus for Christmas Day and New years were now available for most establishments, while clustering of tourism as a strategy by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality was opening up awareness and the creation of diversified offering from rural to urban set ups which cater for all tastes, budgets and preferences.
“Operator packages have become key to showcase infrastructure investments that exist and have been developed in the past year. We are excited that sports tourism and religious tourism will be part of our members business mix with Bulawayo hosting the Afghanistan Cricket Tour along with a major religious conference both running in late December,” he said.
“We encourage the public to contact the local tour operators and accommodation facilities along with regional tourism offices to get access to some of the specials and packages that are on offer.”
In Mazowe, Minister Rwodzi said Zimbabwe records a domestic tourism surge through local arrivals towards and during Christmas holidays when everyone spends their annual savings and bonuses.
“It is only during these annual holidays when we experience a surge in local arrivals who will be spending more with their loved ones. Through reconnecting and joining their rural communities and villages, we have noted that they contributed much to our GDP,” she said.
“We have therefore clustered our tourism sector to accommodate everyone and with infrastructure which commensurate with tastes and preferences complementing urban set-ups. Through establishments of caravans and catering diverse local dishes, arrivals will feel at home even when they are away from their adopted modern homes, thus promoting rural tourism and gastronomy tourism.”
Holidays during this coming festive season include the Unity Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Online Reporter