| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 22/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 25 |
| Copyright: Other |
Zimbabwe bids to reassure tourists
THEZIMBABWE Tourism Authority is seeking to reassure travellers that recent outbreaks of violence in the country have had a minimal effect on its tourist infrastructure.In a statement, the ZTA admitted that developments in Zimbabwe have created uncertainty about travelling there. However, it stressed that tourism services and international and domestic air services have continued to operate as normal.
“The developments that have taken place in recent weeks have been mainly confined to some outlying areas,” the statement added.
Reports from Indaba suggest hotel occupancy rates are running at 50% below last year as a result of the violence, but the ZTA was unable to comment on this figure.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief Etherton Mpisaunga said the spirit of confidence in the country would see it through the storm.
“We may be going though a rough patch but Zimbabwe is still a beautiful country and that will never change,” he said.
Greg Murray, director of the Elephant Company at Victoria Falls said: “We are very positive about the future. No-one is panicking and when the dust has settled, we still want to be around.”