Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY, Faculty of Commerce, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management Gweru, Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE TOURISM GEOGRAPHY Key highlights in the development of tourism in Zimbabwe Please be welcome!! 2014

I. The pre-Independence Phase -This discussion will be biased towards international tourism. Why? -Up until WW II-tourism grew slowly and not recognised as a major source of revenue for the country. What were the major sources then? Today? -only small, rather primitive hotels catered for the white community (Maclover 1994) Impacts on attitudes of locals? -

CONT.   1960s tourism started being recognised as a major source of revenue for the country- Why?- Package tours? Globally? The major milestones during the colonial period included the following;

MILESTONES   -Opening of the Bulawayo Museum in 1901. What is a museum? What was the museum theme? Popularisation? of the Victoria Falls by who? Establishment of the Victoria Falls Resort Town and the construction of the Zambezi River Bridge across to Zambia. What is this bridge popular for today?

Milestones cont.     Opening of the Victoria Falls Motel-1904 and establishment of the Victoria Falls Reserve in 1906 The Opening of the Meikles Hotel in 1915 among other lodging properties Formal establishment of National Parks around the 1950s which now constitute about 12.7% of Zimbabwe’s land area. Whats of if this had not been done?

CONT.   What is the current state of the human resource function in the tourism and hospitality industry in Zimbabwe? 1946- Central African Airways became operational regionally to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Blantyre, and Botswana 1953- first flight to London-4 days- Today?

CONT.   1960- Flame Lily Holidays were introduced as well as domestic flights to Hwange, Kariba etc 1963-Formation of RNTB-Also HRA formed 1964-CAA split into Air Malawi and Zambian Airways the Air Rhodesia

CONT. 1965-UDI and sanctions-international tourist arrivals dwindled. Neighbouring African States banned flights through Rhodesia. On a positive note, the UDI strengthened the development of Victoria Falls Town e.g. Casino, camping and caravan grounds-self reliance.

Some Negative Developments 1975- closure of Gonarezhou for security reason?  1976-Civilian Aircraft was short down-By who? resulting in several camps being closed including Robin Camp in Hwange and Zambezi Camp at Victoria Falls.

CONT. 1978- The Elephant Hills Hotel was destroyed 1979-Another Civilian Aircraft was short down leading to the suspension of flights to Hwange and tourism from then on became dangerous and was restricted to road travel by convoy. Arrivals fell from 250 000 to 70 000

Post-Independence Zimbabwe up to 2000 Tourism developed in leaps and bounce. 320 000 in 1981 to 1 219 736 in 1995. In terms of market share by origin UK and Ireland-29%, rest of Europe 14%, USA and Canada 17% etc. Civil war 1982-1986 1982 and 1992 droughts Periodic food riots in 1996-2000

Cont.   1998 –Zimbabwe’s black day. Inflation Zimbabwe- cause? What was the impact of this on tourism? Civil war in Moz-ended. Namibia gained independence and also South Africa- Implications?

Possible question Outline the major events that negatively affected tourism development in Zimbabwe in the post 2000 era (15) Highlight and comment on the strategies employed by the country to manage the 2000-2009 tourism apocalypse (10) What lessons can other countries draw from Zimbabwe’s experience during this period? Present these in bullet form (10)

THE END!! Thank You!!!