Govt to make recreation affordable

via Govt to make recreation affordable 02 January 2015

GOVERNMENT plans to build family theme parks countrywide to afford low income earners an opportunity to go for holiday because they cannot afford the current resort areas.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi told journalists in Victoria Falls this week that they were planning to establish 10 such recreation centres countrywide-the target being civil servants whose salaries are meager.

The sentiments by the Minister came amid concerns by locals that the just ended Jameson Victoria Falls Carnival was not affordable to local citizens where tickets cost $55 per day’s entrance.

“The success of any tourism product lies in affordability. Locals do not afford high products and government is planning to develop theme products not only in Victoria Falls but there will be 10 countrywide,” said Mzembi.

He said: “For citizens to enjoy, recreation is an issue that must be captured to afford low income earners and civil servants an opportunity to go for holidays. Although we must raise revenue, we must also incentivize locals to visit tourist resort areas especially during off peak periods.”

Minister Mzembi also encouraged locals to develop a holidaying culture to complement the efforts amid reports that uptake of holiday packages by locals was only 30 percent.

Organisers of the carnival also hinted on coming up with local rates specifically for local attendees in next year’s edition. Mostly, locals have little or no money to save for holidays hence the need for incentivised packages to boost domestic tourism.