BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Leading tourism operator, Africa ALBIDA Tourism group (AAT), says it expects an uptick in Zimbabwe’s tourism industry this year after government lifted travel restrictions and opened the economy as the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.
Acting President Constantino Chiwenga last week lifted most Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and moved the curfew time from 9 PM to midnight after noting a decline in infections and deaths.
Chiwenga also scraped the requirement for fully vaccinated returning residents and tourists to go for mandatory quarantine on arrival in Zimbabwe.
AAT chief executive Ross Kennedy said they expected the measures to herald the start of a buoyant 2022 for tourism, and operators were looking forward to once again welcoming visitors from around the globe.
“The announcement by the government of Zimbabwe in respect of the easing of restrictions relating to Covid-19 is so important as to be viewed as a lifesaver for tourism,” Kennedy told VicFallsLive.
“The pent-up demand for Zimbabwe and the region can now be unlocked, and the impact should be incredibly positive for all in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector.”
He said the easing of travel restrictions in source markets, such as the United Kingdom, also provided a major boost to potential arrivals from April, with bookings across Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate’s 98 rooms already at 52 percent for that month, as well as longer-term forward bookings for 2023.
“The activity and forward planning for the region as witnessed by the Africa’s Eden travel show next week in Victoria Falls, coupled with new airline access and support is immense, making now an incredible time to plan your next trip and travel, “Kennedy said.
“Tourism is the fourth pillar of our economy, a significant employer and foreign currency earner, so the easing of these regulations will have further positive impacts on communities, conservation and downstream benefits for the economy.”
Access to the Victoria Falls and the region has been boosted with a number of airlines resuming flights following a suspension when the Omicron variant of Covid-19 was identified by South African scientists in late November.
Airlines currently flying into Victoria Falls are Fastjet, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, British Airways (operated by Comair), Airlink, Air Zimbabwe and Mack Air, as well as charter airlines, while Emirates has resumed flights to Harare.
The Lufthansa Group’s new leisure airline Eurowings Discover will start flying into Victoria Falls from March 30, increasing Frankfurt to Windhoek flights to a daily service, with a Windhoek-Victoria Falls-Windhoek tag flight three times a week.
In addition, on June 30 Fastjet will introduce four flights a week between Victoria Falls and Maun, gateway to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, as well as flights between Victoria Falls and Nelspruit, near South Africa’s Kruger National Park, from March 16, linking the region’s prime tourist destinations.
AAT operates a portfolio of properties in Victoria Falls, namely Victoria Falls Safari Lodge,Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites, Lokuthula Lodges and The Boma –Dinner & Drum Show.