Business / Companies
Air Zim fails to cope with flights
19 Dec 2010 at 14:33hrs | Views
A KEY stakeholder in the tourism industry says Air Zimbabwe is failing to cope with flight demands between the Harare-Victoria Falls and Victoria Falls-Johannesburg routes as a result of a huge influx of travellers
this festive season.
Inbound Tour Operators' Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Tich Mudzonga yesterday said domestic and foreign tourists experienced difficulties travelling to Victoria Falls.
"I can confirm flights for both routes are fully booked at the moment and there are no other airlines servicing the routes," he said.
"Whilst locals can use road transport, most people prefer to fly to Victoria Falls."
Mr Mudzonga said his association had appealed to the airline to bring on board a bigger aircraft to cater for more passengers.
"The airline is aware tourists would be deprived (of service), hence our appeal for a bigger plane such as the Boeing 767 which carries a considerable number of passengers," he said.
He added that tour operators were enjoying brisk business this festive season as compared to the same period last year.
"Business is much better than last year. We have recorded an increase of more than 30 percent," he said.
He said they had also recorded an upsurge in the number of domestic tourists.
"Locals have disposable income and are able to take up holidays as compared to last year," said Mr Mudzonga.
Air Zimbabwe officials could not be reached for comment.
This year, tourism has posted US$800 million in earnings, surpassing a record of US$523 million grossed last year.
The World Bank has attributed this growth to arrivals from Europe and the United States.
In the last decade, Zimbabwe mainly relied on Asia for tourist inflows.
this festive season.
Inbound Tour Operators' Association of Zimbabwe president Mr Tich Mudzonga yesterday said domestic and foreign tourists experienced difficulties travelling to Victoria Falls.
"I can confirm flights for both routes are fully booked at the moment and there are no other airlines servicing the routes," he said.
"Whilst locals can use road transport, most people prefer to fly to Victoria Falls."
Mr Mudzonga said his association had appealed to the airline to bring on board a bigger aircraft to cater for more passengers.
"The airline is aware tourists would be deprived (of service), hence our appeal for a bigger plane such as the Boeing 767 which carries a considerable number of passengers," he said.
He added that tour operators were enjoying brisk business this festive season as compared to the same period last year.
He said they had also recorded an upsurge in the number of domestic tourists.
"Locals have disposable income and are able to take up holidays as compared to last year," said Mr Mudzonga.
Air Zimbabwe officials could not be reached for comment.
This year, tourism has posted US$800 million in earnings, surpassing a record of US$523 million grossed last year.
The World Bank has attributed this growth to arrivals from Europe and the United States.
In the last decade, Zimbabwe mainly relied on Asia for tourist inflows.
Source - Byo24
