Safari, hunting industry comes short in domestic tourism

Nkosilathi Sibanda, Business Correspondent
THE opening of domestic tourism activity will not benefit the local hunting and safari business, with the industry players saying it was too late to anticipate any meaningful revenue to revive the sector.

Tourism was allowed to get back to business last Thursday with the Minister of Environment, Climate, Hospitality and Tourism Mangaliso Ndlovu stating Government’s aim was on promoting domestic tour and travel.

Traditionally, the hunting and safari industry is dependent on international tourists, with as many coming from the United States. Owing to the Covid-19 induced lockdown locally and in source countries, tourism and related activities had shuddered to a halt in last six months.

The wildlife related tour business is one that was not a regular pastime for the local resident, save for a few that do school trips or corporate sponsored sojourns to national parks and conservancies. The US, Europe and other tourism source destinations are yet to allow citizens to travel. While international airlines are slowly warming up for a return to business, tourism was still shut out.

Hunters and animal trophy enthusiasts from the US account for close to 79 percent of arrivals into the country and the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe said this figure wholly sustains the industry every year. Established operators, in an interview with Sunday News said while they welcome the move to open business, theirs was a nonstarter as they had already lost out.

The hunting season in Zimbabwe usually runs from January to October, meaning there is only less than a month to reach a close this year. Mr Langton Masunda a seasoned safari operator said there was little to celebrate.

“So good and commendable is the Government’s move to open domestic tourism, but is a little too late for the hunting sector. The safari industry will not benefit. We rely on tourists from America. Given that countries such as the United States have not opened borders and we are also still under lockdown, it means we are not going to get anything.”

He said there was a need for the Government and private players in particular to play a part to encourage locals to take a liking to safari and hunting.

Mr Emmanuel Fundira, president of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe is on record as saying the industry has lost out heavily following the advent on the novel coronavirus.

ZTA spokesperson Mr Godfrey Koti told Sunday News on Friday that there was need for players in the industry to partner and forge ahead.

“Even locals would have to appreciate our wildlife, this is a combined effort to boost the tourism sector. It is paramount as well to make synergies that benefit the whole industry as we enter the unknown path after opening our destinations to locals.”