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Patrick Chitumba Victoria Falls Reporter
THE co-hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly in Victoria Falls and Livingstone triggered a mini economic boom as it created part-time jobs. A survey by Chronicle in the two host towns showed that operators in the hospitality industry, taxi owners, supermarkets, and other stakeholders i n the business community had all increased their staffing levels for at least one week.
Several students and school leavers were engaged on week-long contracts in hotels, lodges and other business houses.
The increased volume of business meant that some of the workers at hotels, restaurants and lodges had to work double shifts to attend to delegates.
Taxi operators who were charging $30 between Victoria Falls International Airport and town, which normally costs $15, also indicated that they had recorded brisk business.
Conference organizers registered more than 75 taxis in Victoria Falls alone to ferry clients during the general assembly.
“The only problem was the availability of these shuttle buses provided by the government, otherwise the general assembly has been good for us,” said Mr John Sibanda, a taxi driver.
Night clubs in the both towns also recorded brisk business as delegates took time out after meetings to explore the night life.
In Livingstone, some ladies of the night and conmen seemed to have moved to the town to take advantage of the general assembly.
In Victoria Falls, there were very few of the ladies in bars after the police allegedly rounded them up as they “cleaned the town” ahead of the general assembly.
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