…Far and Wide Zimbabwe to soon open new SkyDeck project

Ngoni Dapira

HOTELIERS in the Eastern Highlands tourism bloc have begun marketing their post covid-19 recovery plans online and on social media in their efforts to ensure the comfort and safety of clients in the wake of continued fears of the global pandemic.

After closing down for over 50 days due to the covid-19 lockdown measures effected on March 30, hotels and lodges were on May 25 approved by the government to resume operations. The tourism sector is one of the most affected sectors by the global pandemic following the closure of borders by most countries. However, the Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) travel market and domestic tourism are expected to be the savior of the luxury resort business in the country.

To ensure compliance to statutory instruments on public health in response to covid-19 Nyanga’s Montclair Hotel and Casino has already set up procedures for the comfort and safety of guests. The hotel’s general manager Brian Nyakutombwa said it was important for them to ensure the safety of its guests for them to stay in business. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) also plans to roll-out campaigns to market Zimbabwe’s tourism and reassure source markets that Zimbabwe remains a superior tourism destination choice, after borders reopen.

The scenic, relaxing view by the pool side at Montclair Hotel and Casino in Nyanga.

“Bedroom linen and bathroom towels shall be changed after two nights stay with the room receiving deep cleaning using alcohol-based disinfectants. Our room attendants have gone through comprehensive demonstrations of safe and hygienic handling of the rooms cleaning process and will always have requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) whilst undertaking their duties. We are also ensuring that rooms linen is laundered on site using recommended laundry chemicals supplied by professional and traceable suppliers,” said Nyakutombwa in their advertorial statement.

During conferencing Nyakutombwa said they are now ensuring physical distancing of two metres apart and compliance with the regulation on gatherings to a maximum of 50 shall be strictly enforced starting from bookings stage.

“The service of decanted juices shall be suspended until further notice. We will only serve bottled water and sweets in meeting rooms, while a sanitization station shall be available for each meeting room. We have also decided that all refreshments (morning and afternoon tea, coffee and sandwiches) for meeting delegates shall be served by Hotel staff, and not self-service as was before,” he added.

An areal view of White Horse Inn in Vumba

At White Horse Inn in Vumba during the covid-19 lockdown the cozy luxury resort took the time to renovate its rooms to give the place a facelift. They have tiled and repainted the interior of all rooms, replaced all ceilings and door locks to increase security measures as well as put up covid-19 compliance systems for guests.

White Horse Inn director Frank Marembo said the tranquil and scenic environment in Vumba makes them ideal for brainstorming meetings for companies and relaxing family vacations during the strenuous times of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The covid-19 safety net systems are to ensure our staff is thorough on compliance to covid-19, which we have done through in-house trainings. We want to ensure even international tourists that they will be safe when borders reopen. We are expecting turbulent times under the ongoing lockdown measures but this will also be an opportunity for us to win over domestic tourists, of which we will soon be starting special promotional packages for domestic tourists,” said Marembo.

According to Section 4 of SI 110 of 2020, since May 31 the Level 2 national lockdown would continue indefinitely, but measures would be subject to a fortnightly review. While intercity travel with public transport remains prohibited, private cars are allowed freely travel with the number of passsengers in the car however restricted to avoid crowding. This is proving to be a stumbling block for the tourism sector which survives on the freedom of movement of people. Tourism recreational activities and national parks and wildlife facilities remain closed, which is another impediment as they operate hand in glove, but plans are being made to gradually open some services.

ZTA acting chief executive Givemore Chidzidzi said domestic tourism can contribute 30 percent to the total tourism receipts. Government has set up a $500 million Bank Guarantee Facility to help the sector recover. The facility is meant to assist the tourism sector access working capital loans from banks and insulate their businesses from the effects of the pandemic. In addition, Government has approved the establishment of a Tourism Revolving Fund and has injected seed capital of $20 million for tourism businesses.

“Domestic tourism is key in post-Covid-19 tourism recovery efforts. The Tourism Recovery Plan seeks, to among other things, provide relief packages to affected tourism businesses including small businesses within the tourism value chain, save and secure jobs from being lost in the tourism value chain and reestablish contact with the local, regional and international tourism markets,” said Chidzidzi.

The intervention funds have been welcome but most tourism operators advised Government to work closely with financial institutions to ensure that the terms and conditions of these facilities are accessible.

A guest enjoying the breathtaking view from the SkyDeck.

Before the covid-19 lockdown many hoteliers and tourism operators under the Eastern Highlands Experience banner had been doing online marketing campaign to promote tourism activities in the region. The tourism marketing and promotional campaign, Eastern Highlands Experience has since 2015 been driving the agenda to turn the eastern bloc tourism into the leading tourism hub in the country.

With diverse activities to offer in Chimanimani, Mutasa, Vumba and Nyanga, tourism in the eastern highlands has been gaining ground as a destination of choice. The first game changer was the Skyline and Zipline at Mtarazi Falls introduced by Far and Wide Zimbabwe. Far and Wide will also soon launch its luxurious SkyDeck Mountain Retreat bungalow project, which is two kilometres from Mtarazi Falls. Construction of the luxury bungalow on a mountain top has already been completed. Gliding is also expected to be on the cards soon in Mutasa.

“Skydeck will be exclusively booked out to one party at a time. It will offer three incredible meals a day, tea and coffee, snacks, a great selection of drinks, all activities, wood-fired hot tub, outdoor shower and one of the most breathtaking views in the world. Don’t miss out on our amazing out door experience after being cooped up for so long,” read the statement by Far and Wide Zimbabwe to promote is new project.