Tourism News

Gear up for rise in demand, hospitality industry urged

Business Reporter

MANUFACTURERS and service providers in the hospitality chain should gear themselves for a surge in demand of their products and services as the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa nears.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi, who last week toured Bestafoam Investments, a company which is manufacturing beds to be used by the hospitality industry for the duration of the World Cup, said much was expected of Zimbabwe.

Minister Mzembi, who was accompanied by stakeholders in the tourism industry, expressed satisfaction with the commitment shown by Bestafoam Investments, saying Zimbabwe needed up to 40 000 beds to accommodate guests expected in the country during the soccer showcase.

"Manufacturing companies need to race against time if they are to successfully meet demands of the hospitality industry," Minister Mzembi.

He also urged business to take this chance to attract foreign investors.

"The World Cup is not all about soccer; this is an opportunity for businesses to grow and for the nation to attract foreign investors," he said.

Bestafoam chief executive Mr Benjamin Muvuti welcomed the move by the Tourism and Hospitality Ministry to award local companies contracts to manufacture furniture for the hospitality industry, saying it augured well with Government’s indigenisation policy.

"We now ask the financial sector to chip in and help us to upgrade our financial status so as to adequately finance our programmes," said Mr Muvuti.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief operating officer Mr Givemore Chidzidzi said they had already begun assessing hotels and other accommodation for international standards.

"We have already started inspecting hotels and most of the private houses inspected so far show good standards," said Mr Chidzidzi.