TOURISTS visiting the country yesterday issued a chilling
warning that the post-election violence in the country was instilling fear
among visitors, who may end up shunning the country.
Several tourists interviewed by Southern Eye in Victoria
Falls yesterday said reports of violence in parts of the country such as Harare
were tainting the country’s image and portraying it as an unsafe destination.
“It is a very uncomfortable stay for me and my wife. We
read on social media what is happening in Harare and this is terrifying,” Ron
Schneider from Germany said in reference to the fatal shooting of seven people
by the military in Harare last Wednesday.
“We had plans to visit Great Zimbabwe from here, but we are
no longer sure if that is going to happen. We wedded in South Africa and came
here for our honeymoon but we might end our trip in Zambia or Botswana. We have
trip advisers assisting us.”
Another tourist, Abraham Fischer, said while it was quiet
in the resort town, his brother was in Harare on his way to Nyanga when he
decided to abort the trip.
“He said he got terrified seeing people being brutalised,
but we have been assured by authorities here that we are in safe hands, but I’m
not sure for how long,” Fischer said.
“My wish for Zimbabweans is to see them having a prosperous
economy and peace. We have been in the streets and most of the people that we
meet are curio sellers. They will be selling awesome wooden artefacts at very
low prices just to fend for their families. We wish them well.”
A South African tourist, Noxolo Mzungwana, said security
should be provided to tourists.
“Crime and violence affect tourism and tourists tend to
shun such destinations. Where there is violation of human rights, most people
tend to pass on such messages. We hope that tourism destinations are guarded
and security is guaranteed for visitors and the hosts as well,” the tourist
said.
Other tourists declined to comment, saying they feared
being tracked down and victimised.
Curio vendors said business had started to pick up and they
hoped that everything goes back to normal soon. Hotels, airport operators, and
other tourism officials said they were doing their best to make guests feel
safe and ensure that security was maintained.
According to the outgoing Victoria Falls mayor Sifiso
Mpofu, international arrivals had risen by 22% since January, marking the first
increase in two decades. Newsday
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