Tourism (06-02-07)

BY ITAI DZAMARA
HARARE : Tourists’ arrivals have declined by up to 60% over the past two years due to continued political tension in Zimbabwe , carrying at its ba

ck unprecedented economic hardships, this paper has learnt.

Sources in the tourism industry dismissed repeated propaganda by government claiming that tourists’ arrivals are on the increase and said that statistics currently show that Zimbabwe has lost out to its neighbours as a preferred destination by visitors from Europe, America and Asia .

“Statistics show that the past two years have recorded the worst decline in tourists’ arrivals mainly due to the high costs of living in this country,” a source at the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) said. “It is more expensive by more than five times to visit and stay in Zimbabwe as compared to say South Africa or Botswana and naturally, visitors have had to avoid coming here. The past two years have seen a decline of recorded arrivals and stay by up to 60% and its not looking good.

ZTA chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke said he didn’t have statistics off hand when contacted for comment but admitted that “the bad economic situation has also seriously affected the tourism industry”.

Shingi Munyeza, head on ZimSun, one of the biggest players in tourism also admitted times were difficult and repeated his call for efforts to end the current economic problems scaring away tourists in the country.

Endowed with several natural attractions and good weather, Zimbabwe use to be one of the prime tourist destinations from people across the whole world and that industry played a major role in building the economy through earning vital foreign currency.

Things started going up in smoke since 2000 when the Zanu (PF) government embarked on violent farm seizures, which led to the precipitation of economic recession characterisded by acute foreign currency shortages and breakdown in the provision of all basic commodities.

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