The ManicaPost
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Senior Reporter
THE hospitality industry in Manicaland has expressed confidence to improve its performance this year following major infrastructure improvements by stakeholders in the sector.
The industry had suffered some setbacks in the past decade due to tourist fatigue and associated macro-economic challenges that resulted in lower numbers of visitors.
As a result, many hotels have not been able to renovate their facilities.
However, domestic tourism has been on an increase, thereby contributing to the growth recorded in the last few years.
The chairman of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Manicaland, Mr Charlton Chimbira, said despite the difficult operating environment, a growth trajectory will be maintained.
“We have been adversely affected by liquidity challenges and even product availability, but we are looking at numerous initiatives to survive the macro-economic challenges.
“This year we will look into what strategies we can employ to compete and outpace our counterparts in the region and on the international market. We believe that we will be able to confidently challenge the status quo this year,” he said.
In 2019, the occupancy rate for big hotels in the province closed at 62 percent, up from 52 percent the previous year.
Mr Chimbira said the increase in occupancy was due to improved interest in the attraction sites by both local market and the foreign visitors.
He said Mtarazi Falls at the border of Mutasa and Nyanga districts was the busiest destination, while other sites such as Nyanga had also begun to receive more visitors.
Although traffic into Mutare had been traditionally pushed by conferences, Mr Chimbira said the Cyclone Idai disaster, which hit Chimanimani and Chipinge districts last year, gave local hotels a boom.
“The traffic into Chimanimani was mainly driven by the Cyclone Idai-related events. We had various organisations and individuals coming in soon after the disaster to offer assistance.
“After that, we had those who were providing psychosocial support. They all stayed in Mutare hotels. We expect to continue reporting an increase in traffic into Chimanimani this year as the reconstruction efforts are still underway. City hotels will continue to benefit from the traffic,” he said.
He said most hotels in the province have been refurbished, a feat that has enhanced their competitive advantage.
In October Golden Peacock Villa Hotel completed construction of a four-storey block, which added 56 rooms to the existing 83 rooms.
Other hotels such as Holiday Inn Mutare, Christmas Pass Hotel, Troutbeck Resort, Montclair Hotel and Casino and Leopard Rock have also carried out extensive refurbishments.
“We have hotels that were given major face-lifts and are likely to see more of these refurbishments going forward. This is a good move for the industry as it makes us more competitive,” Mr Chimbira said.
Manicaland had also registered a significant rise in the Airbnb concept, an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with those looking for accommodation.
“We have also seen a rise in Airbnbs, which is a virtual inventory system which allows people with houses to offer accommodation to visitors who do not want to stay in hotels.
“Inasmuch as we might try to avoid it, we have to accept it, the concept is growing and more people prefer such services. They are small, compact and provide budget accommodation for the lower end market,” he added.
