Victoria Falls residents decry high tourism fees

VICTORIA Falls residents have appealed to tourism sector players and the Government to consider reducing prices for some tourism packages to help promote domestic tourism.

Speaking during a discussion hosted by the Victoria Falls Press Club on behalf of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) in Victoria Falls on Wednesday, residents complained that packages in the resort city are pegged targeting foreign tourists hence many Zimbabweans who are employed in the sector cannot afford them.

The session was attended by residents who represented a cross-section of the Victoria Falls community and journalists based in the city.

Panelists were Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (Vifacora) chairperson Mr Kelvin Moyo, tourism executive Mr Clement Mukwasi and socio-political analyst Mr Esau Ncube.

The residents implored the tourism industry to have a three-tier pricing system where there should be rates for international tourists, regional tourists, and local rates.

For example, it costs US$7 for locals to enter the Rainforest. The residents said the figure is too high for locals whose disposable income prohibits them from paying for their families to view the Rainforest.

As a result, there are many locals who in their lifetime have never been into the Rainforest, and children are also affected as they cannot relate to the natural wonder in school where the new competence based learning system requires such.

“As locals, we are employed in the tourism sector, but we can’t afford to pay to enjoy some of the activities that we have here. We can’t even enter the Rainforest. We have a situation whereby locals are employed on contract and earn very little,” said a resident.

“Our children are put on short-term contracts and as such have no pension, this should be corrected. We want something to be done and tourism companies to be told to consider locals.”

Mr Moyo said locals should be considered as they bear the burden of poor service delivery and low salaries.

“Service delivery in Victoria Falls is poor because of various reasons among them failure by the local authority and overstretched capacity as the city’s population has grown to over 44 000 yet infrastructure has not been upgraded,” he said. “So residents want proper service and access to the local resources such as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.”

Alderman Nkosilathi Jiyane urged the residents association to facilitate education of residents on local governance issues.

Mr Mukwasi, who is also president of the Employers Association for the Tourism and Safari

Operators said he will also convey residents’ concerns to the industry.

He however encouraged residents to also play a part in local governance by paying bills for them to get quality service.

“We will take the message to the industry that residents want a three-tier payment system for local, regional, and international tourists. As for the issue of people working for many years without a contract, legally, a person who works for a company continuously for four years automatically becomes permanent on the job,” said Mr Mukwasi.

He urged the Victoria Falls City Council which was not represented at the discussion, to have a master plan that guides business in the city.

A resident, Mr Cletos Mashoko said residents should unite beyond political party politics and fight corruption together.

“Service delivery can be effective when delivered by a person with a passion for the local community. We want leaders both in business and politics who have passion for the local community and understand the needs of the people,” he said.