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Clemence Mukwasi Victoria Falls Correspondent
THE resort town of Victoria Falls has recently been hit by massive cancellations of international tourist bookings amid revelations several groups from the Eastern bloc countries have removed the whole of Africa from their travel schedule over Ebola fears.

Concerned tour operators have implored the government to join hands with the rest of Africa to correct misconceptions and sensational news from the international media about the deadly disease.

Shearwater Adventures general manager in charge of sales and marketing, Trish Mambinge, said several groups from Japan and China have been systematically withdrawing from Africa since reports on the spread of Ebola were made in some parts of West Africa.

“Japan has completely stopped booking the whole of Africa and China has also been systematically withdrawing the selling of Africa as a favourable tourist destination.

“However, American groups are still coming as well as a few from Europe. Our bookings are down by more than 30 percent this time around when compared to last year. If the trend continues, we are certainly heading for disaster as an industry,” she said.

The managing director of Lion Encounter Victoria Falls branch, Steve Jonas, weighed in saying the future looks gloomy if no solution was found to the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa.

“We’ve been hit hard by threats posed by the outbreak of this (Ebola) disease in West Africa. Business has become bad and our bookings as an economic sector are nose-diving each month.

“We call upon our government to join the whole world in a more visible way to send the correct information to our source markets. We know that there is no Ebola in Zimbabwe but perhaps the market does not know that,” he said.

The Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) regional representative, Jonathan Hudson, said hotels in Victoria Falls have suffered a 20 percent reduction in business but quickly pointed out that the most hit were those who relied on the Asian market.

“Hotels that rely on the Asian market have suffered a 20 percent reduction in business but things are shaping up now.

“We’re starting to see figures coming up again as the world realises that Brazil and the United States of America are by far nearer West Africa than Victoria Falls. Africa is a very huge continent,” he said.

Hudson said Ebola has not only affected Victoria Falls but the world economics.

“Let’s realise that the global market has been affected by the Ebola threat. We now need to come up with realistic strategies that will send the correct message to the markets,” he added.

On the state of preparedness for the festive season, Hudson said hotel bookings in the resort town were satisfactory but encouraged domestic tourists to learn to book in advance to avoid inconveniences.

“This is a very good festive season whose holiday spans over a period of nine days. We encourage domestic tourists to make use of the internet and other media to book for their accommodation and activities in advance to avoid inconveniences. Availability of space must not be taken for granted,” he said.