Tour operators, rescue service providers ready for emergencies

ZIMBABWEAN tour operators and rescue service providers are well equipped and ready to attend to any adventure related emergencies involving tourists.

This is consistent with international best practices so as to keep the country a safe tourist destination.
Tourists undertake various adventure activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, canoeing, gorge swing, sunset cruises, wildlife rides and game drives on the Zambezi River or in the predator infested parks where they are exposed to danger.

ACE Air and Ambulance held a two day on-field training on Monday and Tuesday to equip tour guides and paramedics on first aid, reaction time and patient handling.

The training involving ACE paramedics, Shearwater and Wild Horizon guides and Zambezi Helicopters staff, took place in the gorges where a mock helicopter evacuation was done and a patient was airlifted from rapid Number 10 followed by another imitation of a plane crash at Helipad.

On Tuesday guides were trained on how to rescue victims on the gorge swing and bungee jump.
ACE Air and Ambulance operations director Mr Mark Smythe said the training was aimed at preparing Victoria Falls for any emergency and assure tourists of their safety.

“Remember we had a tram accident two years ago, which resulted in a massive outcry from the world and we thought it is important to assess our preparedness and assure the world that Zimbabwe is a safe destination,” said Mr Smythe.

He said ACE services are accessible to any victim in tourist resorts such as Victoria Falls.

“As a certified air ambulance and part of airport disaster management team in Harare and Victoria Falls, we are required to have continuous training. Victoria Falls has gone without this kind of preparedness for many years and what we are doing here is simulating helicopter rescue from any remote area to show how safe the country is.

“Our service is not for the rich only but anyone on medical aid. However, for this tourist zone and for the image of the country we will activate the service to anyone even if they do not have medical aid cover because our objective is to attract as many people into the country as possible by assuring them of safety during their stay as we are fully equipped,” said Mr Smythe.

ACE has six doctors and 46 medics and nurses, seven road ambulances and one air ambulance fully equipped with ICU equipment that can sustain life from a distance of eight hours from a hospital, Mr Smythe said.

The company was established two years ago and serves the whole of Sadc region especially in DRC, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe as well as Kenya.

A sister company Halsteds Aviation Corporation provides air ambulances.

Mr James Halsteds implored the importance of communication between guides and their respective offices for swift reaction.

Rafting Association of Zimbabwe past president Mr Cephas Moyo welcomed the training as an important part of adventure activities.

“The training equips us on how to approach a helicopter, which is very dangerous equipment what to do in crisis management, handling of patients, communication skills and team leading to make sure we all do the right thing. Sometimes we have injuries while rafting and rescue always differ with case situations,” he said.

Employers’ Association of Tourism and Safari Operators president Mr Clement Mukwasi said it is every operator’s wish for Zimbabwe to remain a destination of choice.

“We are now in our high season where numbers are massive and adventure activities carry risks. As much as we have not had serious incidents lately, we need to stay prepared through upgrading training and refresher courses if this destination is to maintain its status as a preferred destination in the world,” he said.

In 2012 a tourist fell off the bridge during bungee jumping and was swiftly rescued by swift paramedics and guides while one tourist died while 20 others were injured in 2014 when a tram collided with a National Railways of Zimbabwe train. The injured were airlifted to South Africa for treatment.

Source: Tour operators, rescue service providers ready for emergencies (8/9/16)

Chinese tourists surge after Zimbabwe relaxes visa controls

HARARE: Chinese tourists into Zimbabwe rose by 32 percent in the first half of 2016 after the country relaxed visa controls, a senior government official has said.

Zimbabwe introduced a new visa regime in March this year which now allows nationals from China and 35 other countries to apply for visa on arrival.

Previously, Chinese nationals needed to apply for and obtain visas prior to travelling.
Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Ray Ndhlukula told a tourism conference last week in Harare that the surge in Chinese tourists was due to the relaxation in visa controls.

He said according to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority preliminary report up to June 2016, Zimbabwe received 902,435 tourists compared to 930,277 in 2015.

"Although this figure represents a marginal decline in arrivals, what is noteworthy is the increase in Chinese tourists by 32 percent, which in itself is an affirmation of the positive steps taken to revise the visa regime," he said.

Zimbabwe, he said, would thus continue to review the legislative and regulatory environment affecting the tourism sector to boost its growth and competitiveness.

Currently contributing 1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue and 11 percent to Gross Domestic Product from 2 million visitors annually, the government is targeting the sector to contribute 5 billion dollars in revenue and 15 percent to GDP from 5 million tourist arrivals a year by 2020.

Ndhlukula noted that overpriced tourism products and poor transport infrastructure were among major factors stifling growth of the sector.

He urged tourism players in the country to competitively price their products in order to restore the competitiveness of Zimbabwe as a prime tourist destination.

Zimbabwe boasts of an array of tourist attractions, including the famous Victoria Falls.

Source: Chinese tourists surge after Zimbabwe relaxes visa controls (03/09/16)

Airport checklist nears completion

The new Victoria Falls Airport and the prospect of a new southern African air hub has engendered much excitement, but long-haul flights have yet to start. Those in the know believe there’s nothing stopping the commencement, it just takes time.  By Michelle Colman.

The new Victoria Falls International Airport opened at the end of last year, accompanied by expectations of a new air hub to challenge existing ones in the southern African region. But to date no international airlines or long-haul flights have made an appearance.

Recently, Tourism Update reported that airlines operating into the airport were using larger equipment, due to an encouraging 23% increase in passenger movement, but these are mainly regional services.

Laura Dacomb, Marketing Director for Sense of Africa Botswana, told Tourism Update that before international carriers could land there, “a checklist of criteria was required to be completed by the Zimbabwe authorities – this included adequate hospital facilities and fire services that had to be upgraded, amongst a list of other requirements”.

According to Ronnie Masawi, Airport Manager, the airport is fully operational, including the new runway, taxiway, parking areas, control tower, water and sewer reticulation and the new international terminal building. “The new fire station is complete but not yet handed over by the contractor. We expect to occupy and start using the new fire station from about October 1,” he advised.

While rehabilitation of the domestic terminal building was ongoing, with the expected date for completion being around the end of September, Masawi said all services and facilities necessary for international flights were up and running. The international terminal building is fully air-conditioned, flight information display systems are operational, the public address system is functional, as are aircraft aerobridge docking facilities, and a full ILS Category 2 airfield ground lighting system.

Masawi referred questions regarding interest from international airlines to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe’s Marketing Office, which had not responded by publishing date.

“Nothing is preventing long-haul flights into Victoria Falls Airport from happening,” said Africa Albida Tourism CE, Ross Kennedy. “It is all part of a long process by airlines to check and inspect new airports, terminals, fire and safety, medical and technical facilities, passenger handling, catering, customs and immigration, both at the airport and in and around the destination.”

Kennedy said airlines also had to study the viability of the route in terms of existing arrivals into the destination, competition, potential growth and source markets, business and leisure splits, cargo potential, geographic location and regional connections that may improve load factors, internal air distribution and access, room capacity in the destination and capacity of other tourist services.

“There are discussions and investigations under way by a few airlines, with site inspections of the new Victoria Falls Airport and the destination taking place,” he said.  Current economic and political issues such as Brexit, terrorism, wars and more, all impacted on major investment decisions and expansion by airlines.

On the Zambian side of the Falls at Livingstone Airport, Kenya Airways recently launched a new service from Nairobi to Cape Town via Livingstone.

“This new route now makes it easy for travellers to tick off three of Africa's top highlights in one easy trip,” said Saskia Brown, Marketing Representative for The River Club, a lodge 18km from the Falls. “Travellers can now fly to Nairobi for an East African safari experience, to Livingstone for a Victoria Falls adventure, and end in Cape Town for a beach or winelands getaway.” 

Another Zambian air connection to the Victoria Falls is offered by Proflight Zambia, which flies thrice daily between Lusaka and Livingstone, pointed outKeira Irwin, Commercial Director.

Alternatively, a short hop on the airline from Lusaka to airstrips in the Lower Zambezi take travellers downstream of the Falls, where exceptional game viewing can be combined with fishing and canoeing adventures.

"Construction work is under way on a new passenger terminal at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, which will create an efficient new hub for passengers throughout the region,” said Irwin. "Domestic flights are timed to connect with international schedules, thus enabling efficient access to all tourist destinations through the Lusaka hub.”

Source: Airport checklist nears completion (02/09/16)

Victoria Falls Steam Train Company grinds to a halt

THE Victoria Falls Steam Train Company has been liquidated and its assets are set to go under the hammer on September 9 to pay debts amounting to nearly $1 million.

The company was registered in 2000 to operate, market and sell excursions on historical trains and trams in Victoria Falls.

Since 2014 when its tram was involved in a collision with a National Railways of Zimbabwe train resulting in the death of a tourist and injuries to 20 others, the company has been struggling.

The liquidator, Mr Winsley Militala of Petwin Executor and Trust Company said the company has total liabilities of $837 261 against non-current assets of $294 900.

"The business operated well until the time a tram was involved in a collision with a NRZ train and that, coupled with the pull-out of the investor-Batoka Hospitality-precipitated the collapse of the company as the investor now demanded a repayment of a loan amount in excess of $250 000," said Mr Militala in a statement.

He said since Victoria Falls Steam Train Company was practically insolvent due to the non-operation of its damaged tram, the directors saw it fit to apply for voluntary liquidation by special resolution.
The liquidator is in the process of disposing the company's assets which include two coaches and a tram, said Mr Militala.

Mr Phillip Charles Steel, is the company's major shareholder with 70 percent shares.

The other shareholders are Mrs Sheelah Alexandra Bell (10 percent), Michael Napier Clinton (10 percent) while David James Simpson and William Ingram Davis each have 5 percent.

Going into liquidation, the company had already ceased operations. The open-sided tram is a modern built replica of a classic 1890s model and accommodated about 30 passengers.

Source: Victoria Falls Steam Train Company grinds to a halt (01/09/16)

Victoria Falls Tour Operators enjoy High Season Boom

Operators in Victoria Falls have seen an increase in visitors, with all units recording brisk business at the start of the high season, which is expected to extend to December.

In separate interviews, operators revealed that the traditional peak period in the sector was an opportunity to break even, with groups flocking into Victoria Falls, Kasane and Livingtone – dubbed the golden triangle market and which is one of the most popular in the tourism world.

Shearwater Adventures Group Public Relations Manager, Clement Mukwasi, said operators were stretched to capacity.

“This season has seen a lot of groups coming into the destination.” He added that all units were very busy and said most of the visitors were from Europe, Canada and the US. “We are riding on good times, business has been at an all-time low and we are happy to recover from that period.”

Likewise, Wenhau Safaris and Tours’ Wengayi Nhau said tourism business had been very low and has since started recovering.

However, Nhau said the recovery was not enough to balance out the dip earlier this year. “It is normal for numbers to increase during this period, which is traditionally the high season. In February and March, people were operating far below breakeven point and, although the situation is better now, if you average these figures, we are still below the profit level.”

Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe President, GeorgeManyumwa, revealed that occupancies were growing from the 45% that the sector had been averaging to about 52%, with prospects of achieving 58% due to the high-season trend.

“We are expecting this period to give us 58% in terms of occupancies, which is a commendable figure. Things have definitely started improving and the growth is visible in the sector. We expect the second half of the year to yield positive results,” said Manyumwa.

Source: High season boom for hospitality industry (28/08/16)

Zim losing tourism business over pricing

THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has urged tourism operators to review prices and put in place a competitive pricing model after research showed that the country is losing business to regional competitors and is being considered as an add-on to other destinations.

Assessing travel trends through the country’s ports of entry, the ZTA noted that many foreign tourists visiting the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s flagship tourism resort, were coming through Kazungula and Victoria Falls border posts for single night stays and day trips, largely showing that they were avoiding staying in Zimbabwe.

The ZTA noted that prices of goods and services were generally cheaper in Zambia and Botswana than Zimbabwe, which could be one of the pull factors for international visitors.

“The visits to Zimbabwe were mostly just to view the Victoria Falls from the best vantage point, which is on the Zimbabwean side, as well as to partake in high adrenalin activities on the Victoria Falls Bridge. Observations have also revealed a pattern where tourists are booking in Livingstone, then cross over to Zimbabwe for day trips only to return to Zambia.

“This means that Zimbabwe is being considered as an add-on destination, which raises concerns of why there seems to be a bigger preference for Zambia which offers a similar tourism product to Zimbabwe,” said the ZTA, adding that this calls for the country to put in place a competitive pricing model in order to compete effectively with regional competitors in terms of attracting overseas tourists as a main destination and increasing the length of stay and total spend by tourists.

Statistics from ZTA showed that the country received about 11 898 arrivals from the United States of America in the first two months of the year but the American tourists entered Zimbabwe from Zambia while a significant number entered Zimbabwe from Botswana.

The ZTA said the trend continued with Japanese tourists as entries via Victoria Falls Barrier showed that the tourists were coming from Zambia, adding further to the impression created by the USA market, that Zimbabwe is an add-on destination from both Botswana and Zambia.

“This once again brings pricing issues to the fore in explaining this preference and this calls for Zimbabwe to review prices all round,” said the ZTA.

The tourism body said arrival trends in the region were worrisome for Zimbabwe as they showed massive movement of tourists entering from neighbouring Botswana and Zambia and passing through Zimbabwe.

“It is well known that Zimbabwe presents the best viewing side of Victoria Falls, hence urgent interventions are needed to ensure a more even distribution of tourist arrivals with Zimbabwe’s two neighbours and competitors.”

However, operators in the country said the only pricing model that works is market forces.

Africa Albida Tourism chief executive officer Mr Ross Kennedy said there were many factors at play in the choice by tourists before they visit including ease and cost of access, visa policy and costs as well as experiences and border reception.

“The travelling public will vote with their feet and disposable income according to quality, service, experience and hospitality.

The average length of stay in our various accommodation units is in fact 2,5 nights in Victoria Falls and even more in the self catering lodges, towards four nights. When we opened more than 20 years ago the average length of stay in Victoria Falls was just overnight,” said Mr Kennedy.

He said the majority of arrivals were coming into the country through Victoria Falls along with Livingstone Airport due to cheaper air fares.

Source: Zim losing tourism business over pricing (14/08/16)

Zim Hotel occupancy drops 2 percent

Zimbabwe’s average hotel room occupancy rate for the first quarter of 2016 was down at 36 percent from 38 percent recorded during the same period last year. According to the first quarter report released by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority yesterday, Harare had the highest average room occupancy rate of 53 percent followed by Victoria Falls, Midlands, Mutare/Vumba and Nyanga.The 53 percent for Harare was achieved through promotions on room rates offered by major hotel groups otherwise the occupancies could have been lower.

“These promotions resulted in increased utilisation of accommodation facilities by domestic tourists in Harare more than in other regions. Even with such promotions, Harare experienced a one percent decline in the first Quarter of 2016 compared the same period in 2015,” said ZTA.

“This was attributed to the current harsh economic climate which has resulted in government, private sector and NGO’s implementing austerity measures to reduce operating costs.”

Victoria Falls had the second highest room occupancy rate but experienced a two percentage points decline in the first quarter of 2016. This negative growth was a result of reduced utilisation of accommodation by foreign tourists (the resort town’s occupancy is usually dominated by foreigners).
Compared to other regions Beitbridge recorded four percentage points up from the figure recorded during the same period in 2015.

This was as a result of reduced capacity through the closure of Holiday Inn Express hotel which was the second largest hotel after Beitbridge Rainbow Hotel, contributing 24 percent of hotel rooms in Beitbridge.

This closure resulted in hotel rooms available decreasing, causing the occupancy percentage to increase.

Mutare/Vumba and Masvingo recorded the worst growth of -7 percent each compared to the rest of the regions during the period under review.

This negative growth was attributed to the harsh economic environment prevailing in the country that has adversely affected domestic tourism which is the tourism backbone of these two regions.
On arrivals, South Africa dominated through all of Zimbabwe’s Airports except Victoria Falls, which was dominated by the United States.

US dominated air entry into Victoria Falls and was in the top five at all Airports except Charles Prince while Britain and Ireland made the top five at Harare and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airports.

“This is further proof of the changing status of UK and Ireland as the leading overseas market for Zimbabwe.”

China was third in arrivals via Harare International Airport (3 405) but recorded low figures via other airports suggesting that Chinese tourists were mainly visiting Zimbabwe on business.
Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg arrivals were second dominant via Harare International Airport.

Zimbabwe received totals of 6 774 and 5 124 United States arrivals in January and February respectively through all ports, adding up to 11898 USA arrivals over the two month period, which amounted to 24 percent of the total USA outbound to Africa, over the 2 months period.
“However, of concern is the fact that most of these American tourists entered Zimbabwe from Zambia while a significant number entered Zimbabwe from Botswana.

“Research has shown that prices of goods and services are generally cheaper in Zambia than in Zimbabwe, which could be one of the pull factors for the Americans,” said ZTA.

The Tourism Authority said the visits to Zimbabwe were mostly just to view the Victoria Falls from the best vantage point, which is on the Zimbabwe side, as well as to partake in high adrenalin activities on the Victoria Falls Bridge.

“Observations have also revealed a pattern where tourists are booking in Livingstone, then cross over to Zim for day trips (although these are not included in the compilation of tourist arrival statistics), only to return to Zambia.”

This means that Zimbabwe is being considered as an add-on destination, which raises concerns of why there seems to be a bigger preference for Zambia which offers a similar tourism product to Zimbabwe.

“Once again this calls for Zimbabwe to review prices all round and put in place a competitive pricing model in order to compete effectively with regional competitors in terms attracting overseas tourist as a main destination and increasing the length of stay and total spend by tourists,” said ZTA.

ZTA said given the iconic status of Victoria Falls, arrival trends into the region are quite worrisome in as far as they show massive movement of tourists entering from neighbouring Botswana and Zambia and passing through Zimbabwe.

It is well known that Zimbabwe presents the best viewing side of Victoria Falls, hence urgent interventions are needed to ensure a more even distribution of tourist arrivals with Zimbabwe’s two neighbours and competitors.

Though there was an increase in tourist arrivals into the country, not all of them end up in hotels, many of them especially those from Mainland Africa resort to very cheap sources of accommodation in lodges as well as friends and relatives.

Observations have also shown that many foreign tourists visiting the Victoria Falls are entering through Kazungula and Victoria Falls border posts for single night stays and day trips, largely showing that they are avoiding staying in Zimbabwe.

This means Zimbabwe is a secondary destination to them. If this phenomenon increases ZTA said it will further affect the performance of the sector as Victoria Falls is the hub of foreign tourism. The Tourism Authority said this requires implementation of robust marketing programmes by Zimbabwe in key source markets.

Unfortunately this is going to be very difficult as the authority gets over 90 percent of its funding from tourism levy collected by operators whose businesses are shrinking.

Source: Zim Hotel occupancy drops 2 percent (02/08/16)