ALTHOUGH business in Zimbabwe has "picked up somewhat" in the last fortnight or so, it is "still not good" and the occupancy rate of 60 to 65% at the Leopard Rock Hotel is "99% local business" and a result of dramatically slashed prices.
So says the hotel's managing director, Derrick Paxton, who told Travel Now he will be leaving the hotel at the end of the month to take up the same position at the Princess Grant hotel on the KwaZulu Natal North Coast.
Three months ago, Leopard Rock restructured all its reservations offices in London, Johannesburg and Harare by retrenching staff, keeping only one person to answer the phone and deal with enquiries.
Well-known industry personality, Jaci Dysart, was also retrenched from the Johannesburg office.
However, according to Paxton, the hotel's casino is still operational and "doing quite well". He believes the current fuel crisis is one of the main reasons international tourists are hesitant to visit the country.
"I do believe that the tourism industry will get over this slump but not before at least two or three months into the new year."
Bill Clegg, a local businessman from Mutare, will take over from Paxton in October.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
