Unavailability of air link hits Zimbabwe tourism

THE continued absence of the national airline, Air Zimbabwe, in the air and recent increase of fuel prices locally and regionally had a negative impact on tourist arrivals in the resort town of Victoria Falls over the Easter holiday, tourism players said.

In a telephone interview from Harare, Hotel Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) president Mr Tich Hwingwiri said while the industry had projected between 75 and 80 percent arrivals, hotels and lodges around the country ended up settling for less than 60 percent.

He cited the unavailability of Air Zimbabwe to fly in tourists from Harare, Bulawayo and Johannesburg into Victoria Falls and the recent increase in fuel prices as the major factors contributing to the decline in arrivals.

"Arrivals experienced during the Easter holiday were not as per our expectations. They were averaging between 55 and 60 percent and definitely these figures are not an indication of a busy period and are not typical of an Easter holiday. Our projection was 75 to 80 percent," he said.

Mr Hwingwiri said the increase of fuel prices in the region, especially in South Africa, also affected the arrivals of regional tourists especially the traditional tourists from that country and Namibia.

"So basically the number of tourists coming into Victoria Falls and the country at large were negatively affected by factors such as increase in fuel prices and unavailability of air link. We are still optimistic that a solution to see Air Zimbabwe back in the air will be found soon," he said.

Mr Ben Tesa, the managing director of Khanondo Safaris said the Easter holiday was mainly popular with locals especially those coming from the Diaspora.

"We had a lot of Diasporans visiting with their relatives and very few regional and international tourists. However, the good thing about the domestic tourists is that they travel as a group, in huge numbers, as a family and not as pairs as is the norm with international tourists. So when they bring in their fathers and mothers, that helps make up for numbers," said Mr Tesa.

He also reiterated the need to have Air Zimbabwe back in the air, adding that people were no longer comfortable travelling by bus from Harare to Victoria Falls.

"At first locals loved the idea of coming for holidays by bus, but the coaches are now taking up to 12 hours on the road and that becomes tiresome for the tourists," said Mr Tesa.

Mr Clement Mukwasi, Shearwater Adventure group public relations manager, said a lot of people who had planned ahead to visit attractions during the holidays had been forced to abandon such journeys because of the increase in fuel prices.