admin
Canditar Chapanduka, Chronicle Reporter
WITH the Easter Holidays fast approaching, a Bulawayo youth, Mr Casper Jawa (27) of Pumula South suburb has embarked on a vigorous tourism marketing strategy targeting both domestic and international tourists to visit local tourist attractions.
Mr Jawa’s ultimate goal is to promote domestic tourism in Zimbabwe through his tour operating company, Explore Travel and Tours, which he registered in 2018.
Explore Travel and Tours, offers a wide range of activities which include day trips, outdoor adventures, movie evenings, and team-building exercises for corporates among other leisure activities. Some of the destinations include Victoria Falls, Matopo, Hwange, Nyanga, Kariba, Diana Pools, Lake Cunningham, and Lumene Falls.
“Zimbabwe is undeniably endowed with many natural and man-made resources that continue to attract a number of both local and international tourists. With the Easter holidays this week, I am looking forward to driving tourism traffic to Zimbabwe’s major tourist attractions,” said Mr Jawa.
“As Explore Travel and Tours, we market the country’s tourist attractions by offering day trips and tours to those places. I use my own vehicle to ferry those without transport and I also offer tour guides. We have two kombis and a Toyota Wish.”
Mr Jawa said he established his company out of love and passion for travelling.
“As a company, we usually collaborate with other players in the tourism industry partners including volunteers who are passionate about tourism. We take some of the visitors on tours for a minimum of one day up to a maximum of five days during which we conduct education tours,” he said.
“We have specific places where we take our clients and these include Hwange National Park, Matopos, Victoria Falls, and recreational dams such as Lake Cunningham in Matabeleland South, and Lumene Falls among others.”
Mr Jawa who is studying tourism at the Bulawayo Polytechnic said his goal is to expand the company.
“As part of my plans, I intend to reach out to every Zimbabwean by introducing affordable rates. I want to continue exploring new markets outside the country so that tourists come and sample the beauty of our country,” he said.
“During this coming Easter holiday, I am targeting mostly young people who are adventurous, families, and groups intending to unwind and refresh. We offer fun, easy and affordable travel with our wide selection of groups.”
Players in the tourism industry are geared for a busy Easter holiday period with most facilities almost fully booked.
Family time is important during the festive season and Zimbabwean families are increasingly visiting local tourist attractions during public holidays to have quality time.
In the past, it was mostly foreign tourists who visited such places to enjoy themselves with relatives and friends.
Domestic tourism is growing as evidenced by the increasing number of locals now visiting tourist attractions such as Victoria Falls and other such places. — @NomqheleC
Online Reporter