Border reopening excites Vic Falls
THERE is excitement among tourism industry players following the re-opening of Victoria Falls and Kazungula border posts by Government.
Industry players said having the two borders closed was restrictive to triangle tourists and reopening them was a good move that puts the industry on track.
Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe president Mr Wengayi Nhau yesterday said: “We welcome the gesture by Government to reopen the two borders to vaccinated tourists as this will help to boost our tourism arrivals.
“Victoria Falls was suffering a very slow and painful death because of its geographical location as it is the furthest to travel by road from main cities in the country where commerce and industry is located.
“We had lost a lot of jobs, but there is hope that by reopening we are going to flatten the curve as we had gone rock bottom.
“This will help revive tourism arrivals in Victoria Falls as there will be more access points and recovery will be faster and quicker and more sustained.”
Victoria Falls relies mostly on tourism and travel with conferences being the city’s major revenue earner.
Presently, there is much less leisure happening because of Covid-19 and the absence of conferences, compounds the situation.
Mr Nhau said Victoria Falls is interlinked to neighbouring Botswana and Zambia and opening the borders attracts more value as travellers prefer to be in more than one destination.
“It now means we are going to benefit from the few arrivals. Our view as the industry is that we can then share the clients as tourists usually travel day trips between the three countries extending to Namibia too.”
A survey around the city yesterday showed that while there was still limited activity, there was excitement among operators and informal traders that rely on tourism business.
A taxi driver Mr Emmanuel Dube said he was hopeful to get clients once the borders open.
Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Matabeleland North chair Mr Anald Musonza said: “It’s too early though to see change and what we expected today was to see an SI to confirm the pronouncement.
“The decision is very welcome for the revival of hospitality and tourism industry to tap from the regional tourist traffic within the golden triangle of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We are very grateful to Government and anticipate that those vaccinated will start traveling within our region and into the hinterland of Hwange, Bulawayo and Matopos and beyond.”
Employers Association for the Tourism and Safari Operators Association (EATSO) president Mr Clement Mukwasi said activities like helicopter flights and cruises have been open, but without clientele.
“More activities like game drives and bungee jumping can now open because the tri-nation travel between Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana has in the past resulted in multitudes enjoying our hospitality. This is a signal for the beginning of a recovery path by the industry,” said Mr Mukwasi.
Trade unionist Mr Edward Dzapasi said workers were also excited as the revival of the industry means job security.