Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
DEPUTY Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Lovemore Matuke has urged players in the tourism industry to collectively approach Government and appeal for a bail out in the wake of the closure of most of companies in the sector due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The tourism industry is one of the worst affected sectors by the pandemic globally as hotels, tour operators and all line service providers were hard hit by worldwide cancellation of trips. The tourism industry responded by either terminating contracts of workers or cutting salaries by more than half before eventually closing shop because of lack of business.
Many tourism related businesses in Victoria Falls closed at the end of last month and indicated they would re-open once the situation has normalised. In the resort town, more than 90 percent of Victoria Falls residents were left in a dire situation as they were employed in the industry or in sectors directly linked to tourism.
Hotels, activities service providers, restaurants, curio shops, transport service providers and photographic are some of the sectors that directly benefited from tourism.
Speaking to journalists after a visit to the Mosi-oa-Tunya High School quarantine centre in Victoria Falls on Friday, Cde Matuke said Victoria Falls’ situation was different from that of other parts of the country.
He said while Government had since released money to bail out small businesses affected by Covid-19 induced lockdown, Victoria Falls’ situation should be addressed differently.
“Already Government has given out money to look after those who were disturbed like those who were running small businesses and have lost income from those small businesses. But I think the Victoria Falls issue is a bit unique where I think the best thing is for the industry to sit down and see how best they can make a presentation to Government. They have to make a presentation and I can assure you that the Government is going to consider that and do something,” he said.
Cde Matuke said President Mnangagwa is a listening leader and was aware that Victoria Falls as a town depended on tourists but as a result of this Covid-19, people were no longer visiting.
“It may take a bit of time before people build a bit of confidence to visit this beautiful area and as a result it’s going to cost dearly on the people who were earning from tourism,” he said.
Under normal circumstances tourism industry could be enjoying the peak season which usually starts in March until towards the end of the year. The mighty Victoria Falls is thundering but albeit with no tourists to witness the natural wonder’s rejuvenated flow.
@ncubeleon
Online Reporter