Government Role The incoming government needs to do a lot in terms of bringing confidence to the international community by showing willingness to do reforms that will make Zimbabwe desirable and competitive again. The tourism sector accounts for over 10% of GDP and circa 20% of export revenues. Despite this, the tourism sector operates well below it’s potential and ranks in bottom quartile of a recent study on tourism by the World Bank (World Economic Forum: The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015). Its not going to be an overnight success for the government and obviously it needs all the support it needs from all key players in the industry. What needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency include: 1.Money supply- Of late locals have been spending nights at banks to withdraw $20 bond notes and sometimes as low as $10 in some cases.This type of money was introduced to curb money supply shortage and was initial pegged at 1:1 with the American Dollar.It was short lived as parallel market take root ,characteristic of the 2000's. Tourist coming to Zimbabwe should be able to use their international cards anywhere without an restrictions or walk into a bank and change their money to local currency. 2. Competitive Pricing Zimbabwe has a three tier pricing where local,regional and international visitors are charged different prices for every service the set up being favourable to the local.It has become expensive to visit Zimbabwe compared to other countries in the region.For example tourist will find it cheaper to stay either in Zambia or Botswana and come to visit Zimbabwe just to view the Falls.Government must remember tourist don't owe us anything,they have a choice of other countries to visit with right policies in place. 3.Road Network Zimbabwe road network is probably the worst in the region.Its in a state of disrepair.However some work has been done in resurfacing and overhauling of major roads especially the Harare to Mutare highway that links the Eastern Highlands holiady hotsports of Juliusdale,Nyanga,Vumba and Chimanimani. Harare-Bulawayo has been done as well which links Victoria Falls. Mutare-Plumtree . Beitbridge -Harare-Chirundu one of the busiest roads in Southern Africa has been on the cards for decades.This is important for self drive tourist coming from the region especially South Africa.Police checks on the roads which has been a thorn in flesh for a number of years to both local and foreign tourist has to be reduced or stopped completely.Our roads where the most policed roads in the region probably in the whole world for a country not at war. 4.Accessibility
The completion of Victoria Falls airport to international standands has seen some regional airlines flying directly into Victoria Falls and some international airlines have shown willingness to fly directly into Victoria Falls from Europe and Middle East. With no doubt this is going to make Victoria Falls a regional hub. Fastjet Zimbabwe a regional low cost carrier is now flying daily from Harare complimenting Air Zimbabwe.Harare International Airport recently named Robert Mugabe International Airport has been shunned by international airlines due to declining passenger numbers who were avoiding Harare due to perceived instability.Plans are in place to refurbish the airport and the runway which needs resurfacing desperately. Other places that needs direct air link include Kariba which has been serviced intermittently by Air Zimbabwe. Hwange and Chiredzi has a functional airports that needs to be upgraded. Also the government needs to do a lot to attract other international airlines to fly into Zimbabwe now that instability is on the horizon and reforming our national airline. Zimbabwe boost a lot of attractions. For more information visit zimbabweodyssey.weebly.com
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