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The Victoria Falls

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
TOUR operators in Matabeleland North have been urged to come up with affordable special packages for the National Youth Games so as to promote domestic tourism.

The rebranded national event kicks off next week Thursday with Matabeleland North as the host province.

The prime resort town of Victoria Falls, Hwange and Lupane were selected venues although some of the codes will be played in Bulawayo because of lack of facilities in the host province. More than 17 000 athletes and officials are expected at the games and the Government has urged residents in the province to embrace the games with a business mind.

Businesses are also in for rich pickings, with tour operators, food outlets and accommodation set to be the biggest winners.

Employers Association for Tourism and Safari Operators (EATSO) president Mr Clement Mukwasi yesterday said while this is a huge opportunity for the tourism sector to make money, players must consider that the Youth Games participants are all locals.

He said cheaper and more flexible packages should be created.

“The critical thing is to create friendly packages for the Youth Games period. Participants would want to do activities like boat cruise or tour the Rainforest during the short breaks but will be prohibited by prices, which is why we are asking operators to consider that these are local Zimbabweans,” said Mr Mukwasi.

He said besides slashing prices, operators should be innovative and creative and not stick to traditional time tables.

“These are local schoolchildren and their officials coming to do sport. Yes, there will be uniformed forces and community clubs who can afford other activities such as lion walk and elephant rides as well as high wire adrenaline activities but why not have packages that can include the youngsters so they go back as ambassadors.

“If we don’t innovate the games might come and go without the local industry and visitors benefiting. We can go back to our usual international rates later but for now operators should be flexible and desist from the traditional and bureaucratic approach,” said Mr Mukwasi.

A majority of eateries in Victoria Falls serve high class meals not affordable to some locals.

Most hotels and lodges also charge rates far higher than the reach of many locals while taxi operators also charge exorbitant rates, with a trip from the Victoria Falls International Airport, which is barely 20km from town costing $30.

Mr Mukwasi challenged restaurants to come up with cheap packages and simple meals such as isitshwala and beef affordable to schoolchildren.

He said even lodges should be flexible and have five people sharing one room than to be empty because of high rates.

Some residents will also benefit as they offer their houses as downstream lodges during busy periods while some will also rent out their cars.

@ncubeleon