The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga, Senior Business Reporter
TOURISM players in Victoria Falls have welcomed the initiative by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to build capacities of low level workers in the tourism sector amid revelations that at least 45 people will benefit from the project.
According to sources, the UNWTO is working with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry to implement the project by offering free training courses to cooks, waiters and those in housekeeping.
In an interview, Employers Association for Tourism and Safari Operators (EATSO) president Mr Clement Mukwasi said the proposed project was a welcome move to the sector as most employers do not have the resources to sponsor staff development courses.
Mr Mukwasi said the resort town would benefit from the training of employees as service delivery from trained workers usually attains international standards.
“An educated employee is an informed one. As industry we will work with students under training and ensure that we provide the facilities for their practical lessons,” he said.
Mr Mukwasi said the continued engagement of the world tourism body with Zimbabwe would open more marketing opportunities for local companies and bolster confidence in the country’s tourism sector.
The UNWTO in 2013 held its general assembly in Zimbabwe jointly hosted with Zambia and went on to sponsor the legacy project in the resort town in the form of a swimming pool.
“As a town we welcome such developments that are likely to spur growth of our sector and economy in general,” he said.
Meanwhile, tourism players have been encouraged to refocus, think outside the box so as to build momentum this year and continue growing arrivals into the country by developing fresh ideas that appeal to the current generation of travellers.
Last year in December, the sector reportedly witnessed a drop in arrivals from the American market but capacity increased after 22 December with the hosting of the Jameson Carnival in Victoria Falls.
A number of companies said during the carnival business improved greatly with a high demand for both accommodation facilities and activities.
“We were all busy across the board with most operators operating at 100 percent capacity. As activity providers, there was a high demand for both our high adrenaline activities as well as the safari ones,” said an official from Shearwater Adventures.
