Tourism and the media are worlds apart in theory, but in reality, they have a very close relationship. In fact, for a country in such turmoil as Zimbabwe one cannot separate one from the other. The chronic decline in tourism numbers in our country is largely a result of the media coverage worldwide, which of course is an inevitable consequence of the bad government, political mayhem and actual economic disaster. As each industry, including tourism, waits with baited breath for the presidential election results the street of Harare remain without incident. The calm before the storm.
The debate over whether the election will be free and fair is a hot topic. Every industry is hanging on by a thread and waiting in anticipation of a change in the economy. Following almost a decade of decline, what is now evident from the murmurs and whispers on the shabby streets throughout Zimbabwe is that the average person has now correlated a decline in their purchasing power with the actions of those in power. It would appear as though the blame is no longer firmly set on the supermarket for the empty shelves but rather on government policy, price controls and a mismanagement of the economy. The latter is now cited as the reason why it is unviable for supermarkets to operate a normal business and not a disgruntled Greek community.
In terms of tourism the debate is on how the elections will affect business. One major stumbling block is perception and so long as the current powers that be remain there, no turn around will be forthcoming. A search on travel website Trip Advisor for recent comments on Zimbabwe outlines the general sentiment that most people will not visit until there is a change:
I am a Zimbabwean. My advice to you – and everybody else – is DON’T go to Zimbabwe. Not because of the violence. Not because of the crime. But because every visitor who spends foreign currency in Zimbabwe is – directly – helping to keep Mugabe in power. We, the normal people of the world, should help dispose of him by applying our own personal sanctions against him. Vote against him with your wallet, and spend your tourist dollars elsewhere for as long as he desperately clings to power. You’ll get your chance to visit Zimbabwe, believe me, after he is gone. In the meantime, if you want a really great African experience, you should visit Botswana or Zambia.
It’s just not worth going there now the water is cut off most of the time you will get ripped off, wait until things change there are so many other places in the world to see it is not a good time to visit.
My guide warned me to be careful taking pictures…especially if the police or military were around…even if all I was trying to take a picture of were the trees! So sad to see such a lovely country and people be ruined by their poor political decisions. I didn’t bother getting Zim dollars. Actually, one guy reached into his pocket and handed me a fistful of ZIM dollars. Said they were worthless!
The problems at the moment are not so much racial (black v white) but political Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party against the MDC (opposition party).
I don’t want to get into a political rant or anti-Mugabe rant as this is not the place for it but despite the fact that it is (was?) a most beautiful country and the average Zimbabweans are lovely gently people I have to say I will not return until there is more stability.
If you are going to Victoria Falls Town (Zimbabwe) I would avoid using a credit card at all – you’ll get stuck with the (exorbitant) official exchange rate and get a nasty surprise when you return home. I’m not sure you could find a place which would be willing to cash travellers’ cheques, and if you did find one the exchange rate would likely be outrageous.
Be very careful when changing money as our friend was well and truly done with changing cash, all the notes he was given by money changers on the street were out of date. Because of high inflation the notes have a ‘use by’ date on them.
In contrast to the above comments, there is also a strong school of thought, myself included, that insist any help the tourism industry can get in Zimbabwe is doing more good than bad. The odd tourist won’t prop up a regime but it will feed a starving family. The only foreign arrivals that should be banned are the plane loads of wonga printed in Germany with more zeros than a high school reunion. Resources are lying derelict and skilled labour has left in droves. When the people of Zimbabwe become accountable for creating a government that serves their best economic and social interests there will be a turn around. The question is whether it will be too late. Industry watchdogs in the livestock industry can detail how almost 100 years of breeding has been destroyed. Because of the unnecessary slaughter of bulls and disruptions of operations in agriculture the industry will take 100 years to get to the level where it was pre-2000.
If tourism is not to follow suit then any income derived from visitors to keep the wheels of the industry turning is most welcome. It is a unique vantage point to observe from abroad and say that nobody should visit a country because their forex could prop up a regime. The people of Zimbabwe have made a conscious decision to survive in a county they call home and they will take no greater pleasure than to showcase why they live there to any willing tourist.
This week we salute the people of Zimbabwe, living in Zimbabwe who are making their vote count, as well as those travellers who dare to visit them, despite the press.
Rian Bornman
rian@venues4africa.com
www.venues4africa.com
South Africans on Holiday in Zim a pipe dream
A holiday to Zimbabwe must sound a ludicrous idea to many. However, Venues4Africa.com beg to differ. They have arranged a package that flies you into Harare on British Airways, whisks you away to Wild Geese in the bushy outskirts of the Capital from which there is an early start to be on Kariba fishing by lunch time. Not only is the Kariba dream holiday on a houseboat they have topped off with a mid-holiday break on terra firma at newly renovated Tiger Bay. So brush up on your fishing skills in the lap of luxury. The management, staff and crew at all the accommodation venues will go out of their way in true Zimbabwean style to ensure the holiday of a lifetime is had.
Package price – R7,950 per person includes:
• 8 DAY Kariba Houseboat Package includes:
• Return flights Jo’burg/Harare on British Airways
• Meet and greet at Harare International Airport
• 1 Night Accommodation at Wild Geese dinner, bed and breakfast
• 2 Nights Accommodation at Tiger Bay Resort
• 4 Nights Accommodation on Utopia Houseboat
• Ample fuel for the houseboat and tender boats
• Return transfers up to Kariba (with beers in the minibus)
• Excellent catering with 3 meals per day
• Beers, wines, spirits (local and imported) included on Houseboat
• Return transfers to/from the airport
The only money you will need is literally for the staff tips and to pay national parks their fee (R70pp) to go onto the Lake.
Wild Geese Lodge , Harare (one night)
Dinner Bed and Breakfast with their award winning restaurant.
Stunning accommodation on the outskirts of Harare. We have 8 charming lodges, for either twin or double accommodation, plus a spacious suite containing 2 double beds, a lounge area with an open fireplace and a small kitchen. All our lodges have their own private verandah and en suite bathrooms.Guests can enjoy a nice walk within the game sanctuary, spotting zebra, eland, sable and impala, relax by the pool or just simply enjoy the serenity and peace. It is difficult to believe that Harare City Centre is only 15 minutes drive away.
Tiger Bay, Kariba (2 Nights)
Tiger Bay offers the best of Lake Kariba and the Zimbabwean bush. Here you find Kariba at its most scenic with unparalleled wealth of Flora and Fauna including Rhino, Elephant, Hippo and Buffalo. Tiger Bay offers a true African experience from the comfort of a thatched Chalet.
Houseboat, Kariba (4 Nights)
Utopia is a well maintained mono-hull vessel which has been cruising the waters of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe for the past ten years. Maintenance of the vessel and a policy of quick action to any potential problem, have ensured that the vessel has a reliable and comfortable physical structure and interior.
To book contact SHAUN on 021 683 6444 or email shaun@venues4africa.com