Mixed fortunes for tourisim
WHEN AIR Zimbabwe
launched its bold
promotional campaign,
Cruising Altitude, last year,
members of the tourism
industry were upbeat about
a possible boost in tourist
numbers. A year later,
tour operators offer mixed
responses on whether their
optimism has translated into
numbers.
Wilderness Safaris has seen
strong growth in demand
for Zimbabwe over the past
year, with a major resurgence
in interest for Hwange in
particular. “Based on this
increased demand, we recently
announced that we would be
growing our portfolio in Hwange
with the new Linkwasha Camp,
which will open in 2015,”
comments Ron Goatley, md of
Wilderness Safaris Zimbabwe.
“Future bookings continue to
look positive.”
He attributes this growth to
greater awareness. Campaigns
such as Wilderness’s
‘Come back to Zimbabwe’
promotion, as well as largescale
conferences such as
the UNWTO General Assembly
and Routes Africa, an African
aviation event, have in Ron’s
opinion, increased confidence
in the destination.
While international travellers
from the US, UK and France
account for a significant
part of Wilderness’s market
to Zimbabwe, the company
reports a considerable
increase in “adventurous”
South Africans rediscovering
the country in recent years.
Travel Vision, too, has seen
an increase in corporate
bookings to Zimbabwe over
the past year. “The US dollar
exchange rate has been
relatively stable this year and
corporate companies that had
been waiting for a drop in rates
last year have now decided to
bite the bullet and travel at the
current rate this year,” explains
Sarah Whiteside, sales and
marketing manager.
She says the country has
a lot going for it, such as
its beauty and great service
levels. “Zimbabweans have a
well-earned reputation for being
very friendly and pleasant to
work with.”
However, not all tour
operators report growth. John
Ridler, media and PR manager
for Thompsons Holidays,
reveals that, in spite of local
activities that remain a popular
draw card and the growing
perception that Zimbabwe is a
safe destination, demand has
been static. “This is largely
because of prices, which have
increased as a result of land
and airline taxes.”
Africa Stay has seen a
decline in the number of
clients booking Victoria Falls
as a result of the liquidation
of 1time. “When we compare
the numbers from when 1time
was flying there to now – there
has been a slight decline
– probably because of the
cost of getting to Vic Falls.
If you look at a three-night
package with accommodation,
flights and taxes into Vic
Falls, it works out to be more
expensive than some of the
four-night packages into other
destinations such as Zanzibar,
which offer more inclusions,”
comments Juan Nel, marketing
manager.
He notes, however, that
the introduction of FlyAfrica
and possibly other low-cost
carriers in the future may again
increase this demand.
“Improved air access, as
well as the upgrades and
expansion of Victoria Falls
Airport will certainly result
in an increase in visitors,”
agrees Ron. “These factors,
coupled with great value for
money, excellent weather, an
incredible safari offering and
friendly people make Zimbabwe
a fantastic option for tourists.”
he concludes.
On the MICE radar
MUCH of the optimism
around increasing tourism
to Zimbabwe has been
directed towards the
country’s MICE offering,
but MICE experts also
provide conflicting reports
on whether or not this is
reflected by demand.
Gill Dewar, md of GCD
Consulting, says there
is renewed interest, with
business and hotels now
gaining momentum off the
back of the slump of the
last few years, primarily
because Victoria Falls is
seen to stand alone from
the rest of the country.
“Zimbabwe also has such
fantastic options for tourists
that it simply cannot be
ignored.”
Gill maintains, however,
that the country is still
not quoted as often as it
should be, because Zambia
offers excellent options just
on the other side of the
Zambezi, and has taken
advantage of the political
problems in Zimbabwe to
grow its infrastructure.
While Geoff Saner, md of
Leading Incentives, agrees
that there is some renewed
interest in Zimbabwe
because of its considerable
marketing campaign, he
says that willingness to
consider the country as
an option depends largely
on the corporate client in
question and whether they
have been there before.
“For those who haven’t, we
always include Vic Falls as
a close and budget-friendly
option.”
On the other hand, Huw
Tuckett, md of Uwin Iwin
Incentives, maintains that
the incentives business
has not seen an increase
in requests for Victoria
Falls. He adds, however,
that Zimbabwe is not alone
in this as the company
has also seen a decline in
demand for other regional
destinations such as
Mauritius, Mozambique and
Zanzibar. “Most requests at
present are for cruises and
European destinations.”
Huw attributes this to the
“been there and done that”
attitude that many South
Africans have towards
regional destinations.
“What’s more, regional
destinations do not have
the same perceived value
as travelling further afield
for incentive trips. If you
compare a cruise through
the Mediterranean with a
trip to Vic Falls, the cruise
has much higher perceived
value,” he maintains.
Air Zimbabwe launches Kariba flights
AIR Zimbabwe re-launched
Harare-Kariba flights on
August 1. The airline, which
has not flown to Kariba since
2006, will again link this
resort town with Victoria Falls.
The launch is part of the
Zimbabwean government’s
plans to strengthen the
country as an African hub and
simultaneously Air Zimbabwe
through the launch of various
new routes. The service
operates on Wednesdays,
Fridays and Sundays using a
52-seat MA60 aircraft.
Flight UM226 departs
Harare at 09h30 and arrives
in Kariba at 10h20, departing
Kariba at 10h50 and arriving
in Victoria Falls at 12h10.
Flight UM227 departs Victoria
Falls at 14h00 and arrives in
Kariba at 15h20. It departs
at 15h50 and arrives in
Harare at 16h40.
Passengers flying oneway
can also link with Air
Zimbabwe’s flights between
Harare and Victoria Falls.
New white- water adventures
KHANONDO Safaris and Tours
is offering full-day white-water
rafting packages at Vic Falls.
During the high-water season,
guests have the opportunity
to experience rapids 11 to 24,
and in the low water season
rapids one to 21.
Meeting point for the day
is at Guest Paradise in the
Victoria Falls National Park,
where a brief introduction is
offered. After the activities,
rafters can enjoy beers and
sodas at the top of the gorge
with lunch on request.
At US$99 (R1 048) per
person, the package includes
national park fees, transfers to
and from hotels, use of rafting
equipment, mineral water,
the services of the guide and
safety kayakers. The offer is
valid until December 31.
Wild Horizons unveils new 360˚ Lookout
THE 360˚ Lookout is a
brand-new development at
the Wild Horizons Lookout
jump site. Located on the
edge of Batoka Gorge, the
Lookout will overlook the
Victoria Falls Bridge at the
first hairpin bend of the
Zambezi River.
While building plans are
still being finalised, the
basic structure will consist
of a 40-seat restaurant
on the ground level on
an extended balcony
overlooking the gorge. The
Wild Horizons high wire
operations will also be on
the same level, providing
a tranquil environment for
jumpers to put on their
harnesses and undergo
briefing and giving family
and friends a dedicated
space to watch proceedings,
while enjoying a meal or
drink from the restaurant.
The top level will feature
the circular 360˚ Lookout
Cocktail Bar, with a great
view of the gorge and
bridge. The new facility is
expected to open towards
the end of the year.
Long -stay apartment optoin
CRESTA Hotels recently
launched Cresta Oasis
Apartments in Harare’s CBD.
The apartments provide
long-stay guests with all the
benefits of hotel amenities,
while at the same time
affording them privacy.
Each apartment is fully
furnished with free WiFi,
DStv, secure parking a
housekeeping service as well
as other amenities such as
free tea and coffee packs.
According to Cresta, the
long-stay market in Zimbabwe,
and Harare in particular,
continues to make a
significant contribution to the
number of visitors entering
the capital. It notes that there
has been an increase in
technicians heading to Harare
for between three and six
months who need a temporary
home while they conduct their
business.
The group says when
travellers stay on business
trips for several weeks they
want greater flexibility than
most traditional hotel rooms
offer. “There is a growing
niche of young professionals
who don’t want the fuss of all
the hidden costs in renting
an apartment, preferring
something inclusive,” says
group ceo of Cresta Hotels,
Glenn Stutchbury. “Cresta
Apartments presents them
with the perfect option.”
