Gweru hotel occupancy low this festive season

THE hospitality sector in Gweru has recorded low business this festive season amid indications that hotel uptake was just 30 percent.

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe secretary for Gweru chapter Mr Thomas Nyirenda said the hotel occupancy situation is not impressive as most people in Zimbabwe have not yet embraced the beauty of domestic tourism.

“The Village Lodge, for example is running a Christmas promotion at Whitewaters recreational area where families are encouraged to take time to go out and refresh on the outskirts of the city but the bookings are not impressive,” he said

“The festive season is usually characterised by low occupancy because the majority of our guests would have travelled, some to their rural areas. It is almost the norm that people prefer to spend time in their rural areas and shun hotel visits. Only a few usually from the Diaspora take time to visit hotels,” he said.

Mr Nyirenda said the hospitality industry in Gweru thrives mainly on corporate bookings which amount to 80 percent followed by conferences and sports tourism.

“The biggest generating region remains Harare accounting for more than 80 percent of the arrivals through corporate bookings.”

Mr Nyirenda said the low occupancy season is expected to continue until February when economic activity begins to take shape.

“According to our occupancy trend, the low season usually runs from December until end of February. Peak season being in March to November,” he said.

Mr Nyirenda highlighted that once-off activities that usually bring brisk business include Midlands State University graduation, Zimbabwe Military Academy passout parade, and the Gweru Agricultural Show.