Almot Maqolo, Staff Writer 
VICTORIA Falls hotels experienced a slight decline in occupancy levels during the recent festive season, with average occupancy falling to 62 percent compared to 65 percent in the same period the previous year.
This decrease has been attributed to the poor state of the road network and the high cost of air travel.
Traditionally, local travellers, particularly families and couples, drive hotel patronage during the festive season, especially around Christmas, as they take year-end breaks.
“The trend for the eight days (24 December 2024 to 1 January 2025) shows a slow start in occupancies, which picked up as we approached the new year, closing the period on a strong note,” said Matabeleland North chairman of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ), Chiku Mulinde, in an interview with The Financial Gazette.
Mulinde highlighted that the domestic leisure market remains a cornerstone for the destination, as families often find driving more economical than flying.
“However, the self-drive market is likely to avoid the destination if the road infrastructure remains in its current state.
The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road is currently unsafe for family travel due to its poor condition, with safety being a major concern for this market,” he stated.
He further noted that the absence of any carnival or musical event during the review period had also affected visitor numbers.
Nonetheless, hotels in Victoria Falls performed better in 2024 than in 2023, thanks to the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector, as well as tour group bookings.
The condition of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road continues to be a pressing issue for the hospitality industry.
“As a destination, we are pleased that the government is addressing road rehabilitation. We hope the process will be expedited to minimise the economic impact on the local tourism sector,” added Mulinde.
He also stressed the importance of growing the self-drive market to support businesses, including newly refurbished establishments such as Hwange Safari Lodge and others along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway.
Late last year, authorities pledged to reconstruct the severely deteriorated Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway, which has become hazardous for motorists.
The road, which has outlived its intended lifespan, is riddled with potholes, making it a significant obstacle for travel and tourism enthusiasts in Zimbabwe.
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