Nearly ten years on and each reason tourists ever visited Zimbabwe in the first place is still there; the wildlife, the scenery, the natural wonders, the people and the weather are still all great reasons to visit the House of Stone. Each airline that has pulled out of Zimbabwe over the years and more recently British Airways and now Zambian Airways have all cited the same reason, viability. Taking politics out of the equation and leaving out so called sanctions it all comes down to money. Airlines are businesses, very profitable businesses, and they service routes people want to use to go places they want to see. It is as simple as that. And even clearer is the fact that nobody wants to visit Zimbabwe.
Aviation fuel in Zimbabwe is thought to be the most expensive in Africa and this would need to be addressed for airlines to reconsider the route. To further exasperate the situation Air Zimbabwe is also currently facing scrutiny from IATA, the International Air Transport Association, which sets the rules for air transport, and should they fail inspections they could be grounded. Then it will remain to be seen whether government coffers can revive the airline but with the rumoured new currency short term relief could be forthcoming when new bills, minus another three zeros, hit the parallel market to mop up foreign exchange that could sustain the national airline’s operations for another few months.
Zimbabwe tourism should have a blueprint to pull itself out of this quagmire. Understandably, the relevant authorities are loathe to bite the hand that feeds it so in true schoolboy fashion the powers that be in tourism accept their lot and it is unlikely anyone will ask for more. Their valiant efforts at convincing tourists to visit Zimbabwe are constantly overshadowed by what can only be described as an economic circus making the thought of visiting Zimbabwe ludicrous. I would revel in the chance to see an unsuspecting American tourist get off a plane to swap 10 USD at the airport bureau de change for ZWD30,000 for one US dollar and thank y’all’ before discovering he would not be able to buy the bottle cap of a single coke let alone the whole drink.
Where does the above leave Zimbabwe tourism? Well, let’s not buck the trend, we’ll also wait and see, and in the mean time see below for some great deals in places where your money is recognized for its true value.
Rian Bornman
rian@venues4africa.com
Venues4Africa.com
www.venues4africa.com
Medjumbe
True hedonistic pleasure awaits you at the romantic and exclusive island getaway of Medjumbe Private Island. Set like a jewel within the glittering Quirimbas Archipelago, Medjumbe is a small private Mozambique island one km long and 500 metres wide.
From USD$219 per person INCLUDES:
Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, house wines, local brand spirits and beer, bottled water, tea/coffee, soft drinks, laundry, non-motorised watersport activities/equipment and Marine Reserve Fees
TO BOOK Email Kirsty on kirsty@venues4africa.com or call +27216836444
Lugenda
A safari to this area is to go where few have travelled. It is not a safari for first-timers only interested in seeing the Big 5, it is a journey of discovery for safari pioneers to an emerging photographic safari destination.
From USD$229 per person INCLUDES:
Accommodation, all meals, teas/coffees, scheduled safari activities, refreshments on game drives, emergency medical evacuation
insurance, conservancy/park fees where applicable, laundry, soft drinks, bottled water, table wines, local spirits and beers.
TO BOOK Email Kirsty on kirsty@venues4africa.com or call +27216836444
Indigo Bay
Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa is the archetypal tropical island paradise surrounded by palm trees, white sand and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
From USD$199 per person INCLUDES:
Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, bottled water in room, tea/coffee, non-motorised watersport activities/equipment & Park Fee
TO BOOK Email Kirsty on kirsty@venues4africa.com or call +27216836444
Online Real-time Bookings for South Africa
The future of Southern African travel is being embraced by accommodation venues in South Africa and new online real-time availability can be enjoyed on www.venues4africa.com. Log onto the home page and use our easy real-time search which shows available accommodation for your dates – no back and forth emailing or phone calls. And payment can be made through our secure payment system with emailed confirmations that are delivered to your inbox instantly. Email info@venues4africa.com with any questions.