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Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Salvation Army church yesterday re-opened Enterprise Hotel which is going through a four-phased transformation from a men’s hostel into a hotel in Bulawayo.
The church injected US$135 000 for the first phase of the renovations as it seeks to respond to the increasing need for accommodation in the city. The newly opened 56-roomed hotel has already attracted full booking ahead of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
Officially opening the facility, the Church’s Territory Commander who covers Zimbabwe, Botswana and Madagascar, Commissioner Wayne Bungay said the facility would not only contribute to the country’s tourism sector but give the Christian expression of service.
“For many years, the Salvation Army has been using this facility for other purposes to serve the community. The needs of the community have thus changed and as a dynamic Christian organisation we look for ways in which we can address the needs of the community and also meet our own needs.
“Our vision is that this will be a Christian facility, not only will it contribute to the tourism industry but it will be a Christian expression. We are very excited to invest in the tourism industry and Bulawayo community as a whole. We have completed our phase one and we are hoping that phase two, three and four will transform the facility into a world-class facility,” said Commissioner Bungay.
In a speech read by Ms Bongani Dlakama on behalf of Zimbabwe Tourism Authority regional manager Mrs Nomvuyo Mathonsi commended and congratulated the Salvation Army Zimbabwe and Botswana territory for their determination.
“I have for some time been tracking the progress of the project and it is indeed impressive to see their success now. The development of a tourism product within my region is of great importance as it raises its profile, in a tourism point of view. The creation of rooms at Enterprise Hotel means the destination now has increased its room capacity. As an individual who is very passionate about the growth and development of the tourism sector it is my desire to see you expanding in due course and adding more flair to your rooms,” said Mrs Mathonsi.
The tourism sector has been identified as one of the economic pillars in the current economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) 2021-2025.
The NDS1 dovetails with the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy (NTRGS) which seeks to achieve a US$5 Billion Tourism Economy by year 2025.
Although tourism generates 10 percent of world’s jobs and is included in Sustainable Development Goals for its potential to create decent work, the role of tourism in job creation is usually underestimated. As such, Mrs Mathonsi said it was also commendable that the establishment of the hotel had created jobs.
“Tourism is a major source of employment because of its labour-intensive nature and the significant multiplier effect on employment in related sectors. It is estimated that one job in the core tourism sector creates about one-and-a-half additional or indirect jobs in the tourism-related economy.”
She said competitiveness for a tourist destination took into account comparative advantage which relates to inherited or endowed resources such as climate, flora and fauna, scenery and other naturally endowed elements in that particular destination.
“Competitive advantage relates to created elements such as this hotel we are in today, transport networks, events, et cetera that is why the addition of even one single tourism facility cannot be undermined,” said Mrs Mathonsi.
The development comes at the backdrop of a Bulawayo that already enjoys a geographic advantage as it is centrally located and it boasts of an international airport and splendid attractions some which have earned Unesco World Heritage Site status. It is also the country’s cultural hub. @nyeve14
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