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In a telephone interview from Harare, the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) president Mr Tichaona Hwingwiri said hotels were fully booked as from 23 December going forward with a lot of entertainment having been arranged.
“In Victoria Falls, the hotels are fully booked as was anticipated. The breakdown of the market is as follows, 80 percent are domestic tourists while 20 percent are mostly regional and a few international tourists,” said Mr Hwingwiri.
He said the notable increase in domestic tourism has been attributed to holiday specials that have been put in place by tour and adventure operators, hotels and bus operators.
“The packages include dinner, bed and breakfast at discounted rates. We also have the daily Pathfinder from Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and back. This has been made by the availability of fuel and other basic services are making the destination attractive,” said Mr Hwingwiri.
“From now to 27 December, there will be mostly locals in Victoria Falls and on Christmas Eve, jazz musician Victor Kunonga is billed to perform at Elephant Hills Resort.”
He said from 27 December, the resort town would be made up of mostly regional tourists from South Africa, Namibia and other countries who will be coming for the annual Falls Fest to be held at Victoria Falls Rest Camp.
“Falls Fest is also a drawcard for regional tourists and they will be making up most of the numbers from 27 December. There are also acclaimed DJs like Otis “The Flow” Fraser at Wildthing Action Bar at the Kingdom Hotel among other entertainers set for Victoria Falls during this period,” said Mr Hwingwiri.
Mr Ben Tesa, the general manager of Khanondo Safaris, said they were delighted and were looking forward to the festive season because they were anticipating brisk business.
He said there were also specials for products that were on offer for holiday lovers.
Last year, the tourism industry raked in US$800 million in revenue and registered 2,5 million international arrivals.
Online Reporter