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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
PLAYERS in the tourism industry are geared for a busy Christmas and New Year holiday period with most facilities almost fully booked.
December is usually busy with local tourists as families travel for holidays. This is the first festive season without travel restrictions post Covid-19 lockdowns.
Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) president, Mr Wengayi Nhau, said there has been a renewed interest in travelling especially by locals including those returning from the Diaspora.
“This year is the first festive season without any conditions after the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and we expect a normal period,” he said.
“Judging by the inquiries we are anticipating full capacity as most of the areas and holiday resorts are now fully booked for the period 21 December to 3 January 2023.”
Mr Nhau said the desire to travel is driven by the fact that there are no restrictions for people to travel and arrive in Zimbabwe.
“There are people from the diaspora who have not travelled in the last three years and want to explore the country’s leisure,” he said.
“We are fully prepared and we are looking forward to a very exciting festive season as we go back to normal in terms of our tourism business.”
Employers Association for the Tourism and Safari Operators Association deputy national president, Mr Ephias Mambume, said operators were capitalising mostly on leisure and music gigs targeting tourists.
Most popular activities include white water rafting, which is dependent on water levels and helicopter flights which are also dependent on the weather for the day, cruises, bungee jumping, tours of the falls and game drives.
“Traditionally the festive season gets busy with local and regional tourists. We are sitting on about 90 percent occupancy for all accommodation and outlets in the industry,” said Mr Mambume.
He said clients are mostly interested in leisure activities and are drawn from neighbouring countries.
Mr Mambume pleaded with the Government to maintain tax rebates on domestic tourists so that they can pay for activities.
He implored tourism industry practitioners to remain ethical and continue holding the torch high as Zimbabwe is known for its good hospitality.
Mr Mambume said the industry is worried about the new cases of Covid-19 that have been recorded in the country lately.
“Being the first festive season post-Covid-19 lockdown, as a business, we should not lose sight of the fact that we are still in Covid-19. We hope nothing pops up and negate these developments,” he said. — @ncubeleon
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter