Masvingo hospitality sector reaps Feb 21 celebrations rewards

Walter Mswazie
Masvingo Correspondent
HOTELS and other players in the hospitality sector in Masvingo are reaping the rewards of hosting this year’s edition of the 21st February Movement Celebrations as most accommodation facilities in the city have been oversubscribed.The event which also doubles up as President Mugabe’s birthday celebrations will be held on Saturday at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments.
Hoteliers, lodge owners and other players in the hospitality sector said the 21st February Movement commemorations brought double joy to the Masvingo business community – the occasion to celebrate the life of President Mugabe and good business.

They said most lodges have since stopped accepting new bookings.
Amazing Village Lodge director, Sydney Chikaka, said it will be double celebration for Masvingo province courtesy of the 21st February Movement bash as business will accrue benefits through accommodation bookings as well as celebrating President Robert Mugabe’s 92nd birthday.

This year’s 21st February Movement celebrations will be held under the theme: “Youths celebrating an African icon through enhanced production”.
President Mugabe was born on February, 21, 1924.
“We’re already oversubscribed as I speak. We thank the government and the party, Zanu-PF for giving us business. Our rooms are fully booked from February 24 up to 28,” said Chikaka.

Regency Hotel and Leisure Group Director, Edison Zvobgo Jnr said all their hotels were fully booked ahead of the 21st February Movement commemorations.
He said the people of Masvingo province are happy and honoured to host the annual event.
“We’re 100 percent booked. All our hotels are fully booked courtesy of the 21st February Movement bash to be held at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. We’ve been turning away clients because we’re full,” said Zvobgo.

Regency Hotel and Leisure Group owns Chevron Hotel, Flamboyant Hotel and Nyanda Lodge in Masvingo as well as Fair Mile Hotel in Gweru.
At the Great Zimbabwe Hotel the situation is the same as all rooms including chalets are also fully booked. Some of the delegates have been allocated camping sites where they will pitch their tents.

The hotel has since stopped accepting bookings for today up to Sunday.
“We don’t have any more vacant rooms from tomorrow (today) up to Monday. Thanks to the 21st February Movement we’re really experiencing brisk business through providing accommodation and food to delegates,” said an official who cannot be named for professional reasons.

The official said it is not always easy for hotels to get business at the beginning of the year but the bash has brought a positive change to the hospitality industry.

Department of Museums and Monuments provincial director, Lovemore Mandima, said they were expecting the number of local and international tourists visiting the monuments to increase because of the commemorations.
“The 21st February Movement celebrations have presented us with an opportunity to celebrate the birthday of our icon, President Mugabe, in the province. The commemorations will also influence visits to the monuments to increase. This also means revenue to the department,” said Mandima.
Mandima said the monuments’ chalets were also oversubscribed.

Tindambire Lodge official Tizirai Choga said they were also fully-booked for the duration of the President’s birthday bash.
A tour of Ancient City Hotel, Lake Mutirikwi and Lees Inn revealed a similar picture of brisk business.
Some enterprising house owners in the leafy suburb of Rhodene have also capitalised on the annual event by letting some of their rooms to delegates at special rates.

Primrose Shiri of Rhodene said she has already accommodated about 10 people at her house.
“I’m also taking advantage of the shortage of accommodation for delegates in the city coming for the President’s birthday bash. I charged each person $10 per night and all the 10 people are booked for three nights,” said Shiri.