Business / Companies
AIR Zimbabwe turns down Bulawayo Publicity Association request
15 Aug 2013 at 02:39hrs | Views
AIR Zimbabwe has turned down a proposal by the Bulawayo Publicity Association to have a one-day scheduled flight to Bulawayo during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly. The world's largest tourism summit that will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia starts from 24 to 29 August in Victoria Falls and Livingstone on the Zambian side.
Bulawayo Publicity Association director Mrs Valerie Bell told Business Chronicle that they had requested the national airline to provide a one-day return flight from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo so that visitors during the UNWTO conference would tour Matopos and the city.
This was aimed at promoting tourism.
"Few weeks ago, the association spoke to Air Zimbabwe suggesting that during the UNWTO conference there be a day return flight to Bulawayo for the visitors to be taken on a half day tour of Matopos and around the Central Business District showing them the historical buildings and monuments in the city.
"But the suggestion has been turned down by Air Zimbabwe saying the day return flight depends on demand.
"The association is terribly disappointed because Bulawayo has lost an opportunity to benefit from the UNWTO congress," she said.
She said even if they were few people taking part in the proposed tour, they were going to spread the word about the city in their countries.
Mrs Bell said local tour operators and players in the hospitality sector had accepted the publicity association's proposal and were prepared to offer a discounted tour package.
According to a written response to the Bulawayo Publicity Association's request, Air Zimbabwe acting general manager for passenger division Mr Christopher Kwenda said:
"The UNWTO Congress presents a huge tourism opportunity for Zimbabwe as a country. While we realise the potential for Air Zimbabwe between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo during the UNWTO congress, our ability to operate the flights will be determined by demand.
"We therefore suggest that you channel your request through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
"They are already working on arrangements for charters to other historically important destinations such as Great Zimbabwe.
"Air Zimbabwe cannot operate scheduled flights due to the short lead time hence our decision to refer you to the UNWTO secretariat," reads part of the document dated 28 July 2013.
Bulawayo Publicity Association director Mrs Valerie Bell told Business Chronicle that they had requested the national airline to provide a one-day return flight from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo so that visitors during the UNWTO conference would tour Matopos and the city.
This was aimed at promoting tourism.
"Few weeks ago, the association spoke to Air Zimbabwe suggesting that during the UNWTO conference there be a day return flight to Bulawayo for the visitors to be taken on a half day tour of Matopos and around the Central Business District showing them the historical buildings and monuments in the city.
"But the suggestion has been turned down by Air Zimbabwe saying the day return flight depends on demand.
"The association is terribly disappointed because Bulawayo has lost an opportunity to benefit from the UNWTO congress," she said.
She said even if they were few people taking part in the proposed tour, they were going to spread the word about the city in their countries.
Mrs Bell said local tour operators and players in the hospitality sector had accepted the publicity association's proposal and were prepared to offer a discounted tour package.
According to a written response to the Bulawayo Publicity Association's request, Air Zimbabwe acting general manager for passenger division Mr Christopher Kwenda said:
"The UNWTO Congress presents a huge tourism opportunity for Zimbabwe as a country. While we realise the potential for Air Zimbabwe between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo during the UNWTO congress, our ability to operate the flights will be determined by demand.
"We therefore suggest that you channel your request through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
"They are already working on arrangements for charters to other historically important destinations such as Great Zimbabwe.
"Air Zimbabwe cannot operate scheduled flights due to the short lead time hence our decision to refer you to the UNWTO secretariat," reads part of the document dated 28 July 2013.
Source - Chronicle
