Business blooms in Vic Falls ahead of festive season

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PLAYERS in the tourism industry in the resort town of Victoria Falls are recording brisk business ahead of the festive season

PLAYERS in the tourism industry in the resort town of Victoria Falls are recording brisk business ahead of the festive season as they cash in on the influx of domestic and international visitors for the Christmas and New Year holidays as well as the forthcoming annual Victoria Falls Carnival Festival scheduled for December 29 and 30.

RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR REPORTER

Hotels and lodges are fully booked and there is very little accommodation still left for visitors who had hoped to spend the festive season in the resort town, which is home to one of nature’s grandstands, Mosi-oya-tunya (the smoke that thunders).

The increase in tourist arrivals is also likely to boost income for residents who let out their houses during this period.

President of the Employers’ Association of Tourism and Safari Operators and Shearwater Adventures group public relations manager Clement Mukwasi confirmed that the tourism industry in the resort town was enjoying brisk business.

“I can confirm that most hotels including lodges are fully booked for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Very few places still have space to accommodate tourists and from the percentages we have, it’s clear that we are guaranteed of brisk business,” Mukwasi said.

“As for activities, generally people book when they arrive. Most of the tourists are domestic tourists who flock the resort area for holidays with their families.”

He said the Victoria Falls Carnival Festival had also attracted international tourists who would stay in the country until the New Year’s Day.

“People in the Diaspora and our young people throng Victoria Falls during this period and it has been the norm over the years.

“They don’t visit the resort town alone but other areas such as the Matopos, Great Zimbabwe and other places,” he said.

The new development comes at a time tourism players and the Victoria Falls Town Council are headed for a collision over the local authority’s proposed 8% levy increase on commercial water in its 2014 budget.

Tourism players have accused the local authority of impeding tourism capitalisation through the proposed increase.

Council recently proposed that commercial users pay $1,10 per 100 cubits next year, up from the current $1,02 in a move that has riled tour operators who said the percentage increase was not justified as it was not driven by inflation.

Mukwasi said the increase was tantamount to disempowering companies in the tourism industry.

“Most of the companies have not increased prices of their products for 2014 and the water levy increase by council will definitely have ripple effects, as businesses will tend to carry over the expenses to clients,” Mukwasi said.

He said council should review its decision as it was going to seriously impede capitalisation of tour operators.

There are fears that the increase would make the country’s premier resort town too expensive.

Council also increased annual rates for services.

Airlines will pay $1 485 from $1 415 while rates for banks were raised to $1 451 from $1 381.

Charges for five-star hotels went up to $2, 90 from $2 847 and safari lodges will pay $825 up from $786.

Rates for the craft village are now $213 from $203 while car hire companies will pay $412, up from $392.