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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
PRIVATE homeowners in Victoria Falls are bracing for brisk business in accommodation services after mainline hotels and lodges reported they are fully booked for early December activities. The resort town will be a hive of activity with close to 6,000 Zanu-PF delegates set to descend on the town for the party’s annual national people’s conference.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) says the conference will be an early boost for tourism players ahead of the festive season. ZTA chief operating officer Givemore Chidzidzi said the hosting of the revolutionary party’s conference was a rare business opportunity for private home owners.

The conference kicks off on December 7 and ends on December 13 with 6,500 delegates expected to attend. All mainline hotels and lodges are fully booked for the period with a majority of delegates and other tourists left with the option of securing accommodation in private houses.

Mainstream hotels and lodges have an estimated 3,400 beds.

“The conference means a lot to tourism. Handling such a huge number of people within a short space of time obviously means business and we’re looking at people staying in hotels and lodges, which makes everyone in the sector busy,” said Chidzidzi.

“This is what we expect to see happening every time to develop our domestic tourism. The tourism industry is more than ready to provide quality service during the conference period and after. We’ve done this before in other events.

“We know hotels are already full and people would find accommodation that suits their status and pocket. Some would opt for private houses and this is an opportunity for people with such registered houses.” Tour operators are also expected to smile all the way to the bank as delegates would as well want to utilise resort facilities and services.