BULAWAYO — Average hotel occupancy for Bulawayo hotels is hovering around 54% since the beginning of year, a two percentage point drop from 56% during the same period last year, an official has said.
Brian Nyakutombwa, the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe chairman for Matabeleland South, said the slight decrease mirrored the economic situation in the country.
“We are in a deflation period and obviously people and companies do not have disposable income,” he said.
However, quarter-on-quarter occupancy rose to around 59% in the second quarter from the 46% during the first quarter.
Demand for accommodation in Bulawayo typically rises during the trade fair period. This year’s trade fair was held from April 22 to 26. Nyakutombwa said the sector’s future was uncertain.
“We can only hope for improvement in the second half of the year.”
— The Source
