Operators see Zimbabwe resurgence
Zimbabwe’s major tourism operator Africa Albida Tourism and Australia’s leading African safari wholesaler Bench International have both reported healthy increases in numbers visiting the destination.
At WTM in London, chief executive of Africa Albida, Ross Kennedy, said that room nights at his group’s Victoria Falls Safari Lodge had almost doubled over the last three years.
In Sydney, Bench director of product, Fiona Orton, said that 28 percent of all the company’s customers visited Zimbabwe over the last 12 months, making it the third most popular destination in Africa.
Kennedy said that investment by many people already in tourism in Zimbabwe was being seen in all parts of the country, significantly in Hwange National Park and the Lake Kariba area, both of which have suffered over the last decade.
He added, “We ourselves have started extension at the Lodge and are adding a new block of 20 premium club rooms (40 percent larger than current, with private check in and private club lounge) as well as a total refurbishment of the existing central area. All will be complete by mid July 2012.”
In recent times Africa Albida have opened Ngoma Safari Lodge in the Chobe Forest Reserve in northern Botswana and developed the Santonga eco-park which offers a six-hour interactive experience of history, wildlife, culture and entertainment.
Ms Orton said that in its 42 years of operation Bench International had seen fortunes fluctuate in Zimbabwe, but “the word is now getting around that major tourism facilities are secure and among the most sophisticated in southern Africa”.
She added, ‘” For many years Zimbabwe was southern Africa’s second most popular destination for Australians, after South Africa, with several Qantas and Air Zimbabwe flights flying from Sydney and Perth to Harare every week.
“We have not yet reached those numbers but are hoping that the resurgence of interest in Zimbabwe and the sound work being done on infrastructure will see the current growth continue.”
Ian Jarrett
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