News / National
Tourist arrivals fall in Zimbabwe
18 Feb 2016 at 19:43hrs | Views
Zimbabwe has lost 1 million visitors from South Africa in the last two years due to the devaluation of the rand against the United States dollar.
The matter was revealed at the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism convention which was held in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
While the use of the United States dollar has been accepted in stabilising prices in the country, it's firmness against other currencies in the region especially the South African rand has led to a sharp decline in tourist arrivals from South Africa in the past two years.
So weak has the rand become that many business organisations across all sectors are now refusing to accept it as a form of payment.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi says this is making the country more expensive and uncompetitive compared to the neighbouring countries in the region, hence the need to craft new strategies.
Zimbabwe Council for Tourism president Francis Ngwenya implored the concept of working together to build a positive perception of the destination to ensure the country still remains an attractive destination.
At least 150 delegates from various countries attended the convention which was held under the theme: "Growing Emerging Economies Through Tourism Development".
The matter was revealed at the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism convention which was held in the resort town of Victoria Falls.
While the use of the United States dollar has been accepted in stabilising prices in the country, it's firmness against other currencies in the region especially the South African rand has led to a sharp decline in tourist arrivals from South Africa in the past two years.
So weak has the rand become that many business organisations across all sectors are now refusing to accept it as a form of payment.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi says this is making the country more expensive and uncompetitive compared to the neighbouring countries in the region, hence the need to craft new strategies.
Zimbabwe Council for Tourism president Francis Ngwenya implored the concept of working together to build a positive perception of the destination to ensure the country still remains an attractive destination.
At least 150 delegates from various countries attended the convention which was held under the theme: "Growing Emerging Economies Through Tourism Development".
Source - ZBC
