Victoria Falls is enjoying record tourism numbers, and healthy forward bookings according to Ross Kennedy, Chief Executive of Hospitality Group Africa Albida Tourism, which operates a portfolio of properties in Victoria Falls.
Addressing guests at a function held by Zimbabwe Tourism during the Africa Travel Indaba tourism show held in Durban in May, he reported that monthly measurements across ten hotels in Victoria Falls revealed a 13 per cent increase in occupancy - with more than 5,000 additional rooms sold - over the first three months of 2018 compared to the same period last year.
The number of new rooms either under construction and/or about to open adds further evidence of the confidence that existing and new investors are showing in Victoria Falls as a tourist destination, he added
This very clear demand for Victoria Falls and the region has resulted in some airlines increasing capacity into Victoria Falls airport (pictured above) - for example SA Airlink on the Cape Town – Victoria Falls route from July 2018.
It seems that tourism arrivals and interest are significantly up in other parts of Zimbabwe, including Hwange, Matobo, Mana Pools and Kariba. However, air access needs to be improved to these destinations and the self-drive market – local, regional and international – needs to return.
Together with this growth trend the industry looks forward to the day when our national airline, Air Zimbabwe, is flying tourists around Zimbabwe to most of our incredible destinations, with improved access for domestic tourists and visitors alike.
A reliable and affordable national airline would support the Zimbabwean Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Prisca Mupfumira’s initiative for a greater domestic tourism campaign, Mr Kennedy added.