African tourism in Rhodesia hampered by hotel shortage

20 June 1968 SALISBURY. — Although tours to Rhodesian places of interest are becoming more and more popular among Africans, suitable hotel accommodation is still a serious handicap to them.

Among the most popular places in the country for African tourists are the Kariba Dam, the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Ruins, the Matopos, and the Sinoia Caves.

The Managing director of Central African Agency Group Travel, which caters for African tourists, Mr Charles Marowa, said yesterday that suitable accommodation at popular Rhodesian holiday resorts was almost non-existent

“Where there are non-racial hotels, such as at Kariba, our customers cannot afford the hotel prices for periods extending to more than a week,” he said.

Although the hotels provided accommodation for the richer tourists, there was a need for cheaper hotels to cater for the bulk of African travellers wishing to spend their holidays away from home.

“The African-owned hotels in the country districts throughout Mashonaland (though increasing in number) are not suitable for the tourists visiting the popular resorts, because they are very much out of the way,” Mr. Marowa said.

He added that the African tourist industry was also being handicapped by lack of cheaper hotels for Africans in the Salisbury area. Bulawayo was better, he said.

Lessons

Our looking back instalment carries a report that shows the effects of colonialism in that there was a separation of people basing on the colour of one’s skin when it comes to tourism services especially accommodation. Our lessons will however, focus on the important and still relevant issue of accommodation availability and affordability.

• The supply of accommodation have a direct influence on the overall success and development of tourist destinations.

• In order to ensure that the supply of accommodation contributes effectively to tourism development plans and objectives, it is logical that the development of the accommodation sector should be a fundamental element of the overall destination planning process.

• Accommodation in the form of low budget lodges/hotels to world class luxury hotels is available at all the major tourist destinations to provide the tourist a home away from home.

• Hotels are a vital and essential part of the tourism industry. Today, hotels not only provide accommodation and meals but also offer a variety of other services as per the needs of the tourist/ guest. For example, many hotels offer a health club, crèche, etc. as per the changing needs of the customer.

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