adminLiberty Dube
TOURISM players in Vumba are upbeat that their innovation strategies to stay afloat in the tourism industry would spur them to dizzy heights and counter underlying challenges bedeviling the sector.
Although it has not been a stroll in park for most hotels and lodges in the Eastern Highlands who are registering very low occupancy rates despite affordable products, players have embarked on strategies to counter the sharp drop in tourist arrivals from locals and neighbouring countries such as holding fun fares, hiking and walking competitions as well as setting up attractive conferencing and accommodation packages. White Horse Inn co-director, Mr Frank Marembo, said despite low business, they were face-lifting their infrastructure, particularly conference rooms as well as nurture the fauna and flora to woo local and foreign tourists.
The hotel, situated 15 km from Mutare, has 12 rooms and two mini suites, decorated in supple colours to complement the superb outdoor vegetation. White Horse Inn recently renovated a conference room which accommodates up to 50 delegates.
“We have to be innovative and work harder to stay afloat. We recently converted two rooms and transformed them into a conference room that can accommodate up to 50 guests and it is paying off. We have lowered our rates to promote domestic tourism. We now hold outside weddings where rare species of trees and plants that surround the terraced gardens attract a huge variety of bird life, magnificent footpaths, natural streams, as well as the Vumba’s rare samango monkeys. An expert resident bird guide is available for guided bird walks upon request. Several conferences and weddings are being held here and we will continue to nurture what we have at stake to continue sailing through,” said Mr Marembo.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development in unison with tourism players in Vumba and other stakeholders recently joined hands to refurbish an 8km Mutare-Vumba stretch of the road which had become a death trap because of potholes. Eastern Highlands chairman, Mr William Chatigu, said fun fares, exhibitions, hiking and walking competition had been some of the activities introduced meant to draw people to the scenic Vumba.
“We cannot sit down and relax. We need to be innovative and bring up new ideas, for instance, on April 23, Inn on the Vumba will host the ‘Friends of the Vumba Fair’ where a lot of activities such as exhibitions will be happening. The event will be open to everyone and this will be an ideal opportunity for people to feel the majestic Vumba and have fun while we would also market our products.”
Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe president and Rainbow Tourism Group operations manager, Mr George Manyumwa, lauded the players’ survival strategies and urged them to stay prepared for an economic turnaround by refurbishing their infrastructure.
Online Reporter