from WELLINGTON TONI in Harare, Zimbabwe
HARARE, (CAJ News) – AIR Zimbabwe, the Southern African country’s flagship career, is hopeful of a revival when the coronavirus is eventually eliminated.
The airline has been struggling to service international and domestic
routes but has taken delivery of a new aircraft that will ply some of
new routes and increase frequency in existing ones.
Firstme Vitori, the Air Zimbabwe Corporate Communications Manager, said they would respond according to demand.
“Demand will determine how we start or restart,” Vitori said.
“It might not necessarily be a boom, sometimes, it can be as industries and companies continue to open. You never know.”
“We had said we will introduce a second line in Victoria Falls but we will respond accordingly, seeing what’s on the ground,” Vitori added.
Air Zimbabwe has plans to target major resort areas mainly Victoria
Falls, Matopos, Hwange and Kariba using the flagship Flame Lily.
It also plans to reintroduce Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route.
The airline’s prospects is reliant on the revival of the sector post-
COVID-19.
Last week, the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) pledged to assist in the resuscitation of tourism in the resort town of Victoria
Falls.
HAZ said it was cognizant of the fact that some international destinations like the Victoria Falls would take longer to recover from the effects of the corona virus.
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management is also putting final touches at the Rain Forest in Victoria Falls as it prepares for re-opening.
Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Climate, toured the area and expressed satisfaction at the progress made to re-open the Rain Forest based on international standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I am impressed with the work that has been put by ZimParks and the Help Desk that is in place now. This will go a long way in ensuring the safety of our visitors once the place is opened,” Ndlovu said.
Government has also made available a tourism fund worth ZWL$500 million.
It aims to stimulate the growth of domestic tourism, an industry that has seen international flights and bookings either cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
– CAJ News