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The Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe last week expressed satisfaction about the brisk business recorded during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly as hotels in Victoria Falls recording above 90 percent occupancy. Zimbabwe and Zambia won the bid to co-host the biennial global tourism event in Victoria Falls and Livingstone ahead of rich nations like Jordan and Russia that had also submitted their bids.
The 20th session of the general assembly saw the highest number of participants in the history of the UNWTO with 121 of the 154 member states attending together with 145 other countries, 750 delegates, 900 participants from the media and private sector and 49 ministers.
HAZ president Mr Tich Hwingwiri commended the Government for hosting such a big event, which saw the resort town and the country at large benefiting.
Mr Hwingwiri said it was a good period for everyone mainly in the hospitality industry.
“The event went on very well and all the hotels as well as lodges around Victoria Falls benefited during the course of the congress,” he said.
“Hotels were hovering above 90 percent occupancy and all the lodges also recorded brisk business. Some residents also benefited as they turned their homes into boarding houses,” he added.
He said the end of the general assembly did not mean business would fall as it had reached its peak season.
“Here in Victoria Falls we are already in our traditionally peak season, the season normally starts from June to December. So our normal business is actually on the climax, that is our position at the moment,” he added.
Meanwhile, co-hosting of the general assembly by Zimbabwe and Zambia has been described as a success not only for the two countries, but for the continent and the world at large. – New Ziana
Online Reporter