Some leading Bulawayo hotels have reportedly increased
their rates by as much 350 percent ahead of the Zimbabwe International Trade
Fair (ZITF) expected to take place next month.
ZITF, the country’s largest trade showcase is set to take
place between 23 and 27 of next month. Information obtained by The Herald
Business showed that major hotels have significantly raised prices to take
advantage of the expo, which traditionally attracts thousands of visitors.
Most of the hotels are fully booked, although confirmations
will be done upon payment. Holiday Inn Bulawayo has raised rates to RTGS$1 400
for a single room, from the current RTGS$325, while an executive room will cost
RTGS$ 2 000 from RTGS$450.
At the official US dollar exchange rate, the price for a
single room will be about US$480. Indications are that Rainbow Tourism Group
(RTG) and Cresta Churchill have also raised the rates ahead of ZITF.
Bulawayo has only three conventional hotels under Rainbow
and Africa Sun and Cresta.
During peak periods such as the ZITF exhibition or big
events, delegates at times fail to secure accommodation, resulting in people
resorting to lodgings at individual homes.
Individuals who let out their houses are also likely to
take advantage and hike the rates.
“It is ridiculous,” said a local businessman who booked at
Holiday Inn.
“While it might be an opportunity (for hotels) to make
money; this must be done with some degree of reason.”
A senior official with a state enterprise also expressed
concern over the rates, saying while the challenges facing local firms were
appreciated, the hike amounts to profiteering.
“We know that businesses do take advantage of peak periods
just like the airlines. “But the increase is just too much. I see a situation where
there would be high cancellations of the bookings,” said the official.
Efforts to get a comment from the Minister of Tourism and
Hospitality Industry Prisca Mupfumira, were fruitless.
Tourism Business Council president, Winnie Muchanyuka,
declined to comment yesterday.
The ZITF is already planning to construct a five-star hotel
and an 800-seater convention centre in Bulawayo after realising the untapped
accommodation market in the city.
This year, ZITF will increase exhibition space for the
showcase to 50 380 square metres from 49 307 square metres in 2018 on the back
of growing demand for bookings and this also translates to more demand for
accommodation.
According to statistics revealed by ZITF, 85 percent of the
exhibition space is already booked.
Running under the theme “Propagating Industrial Growth
through Trade and Investment”, ZITF
2019 will provide an ideal engagement platform for both
local and international investors, offering consultative opportunities crucial
for economic development.
The annual exhibition, which is turning 60
this year, comes at a time when Zimbabwe is on an economic
reconstruction path with more emphasis being expended on re-engagement with the
international community.
This premier event is critical in advancing Zimbabwe’s
overall goal of creating synergies with worldwide firms, thus a platform for
local companies to exploit the interface by establishing trade relations.
The last two days of the show will be open to the public
while a set of events including ZITF International business conference hosted
by National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) on April 24, Confederation of
Zimbabwe industries (CZI) manufacturers’ breakfast on April 27 have been lined
up to complement the 60th edition of the exhibition.
Botswana, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia,
Iran, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia and Zambia
are some of the countries that have shown keen interest in the annual event.
Industry specific exhibitions that include A’sambeni Africa
business tourism expo, Scholastica for education will run along ZITF
exhibition. Herald
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