Victoria Falls — TOUR and adventure operators should introduce a dual pricing system for international and domestic tourists since current rates are too high for locals, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi, has said.

Failure to review the pricing system, Eng Mzembi said, the Government would be left with no choice but to regulate the industry.

He said while Victoria Falls was bustling with domestic and international tourists during this festive season, local tourists were complaining about the exorbitant rates charged by operators from transport and accommodation to other activities.

Rates for both locals and international tourists per person charged by operators include sunset boat cruise US$40, walk with the lions US$90, elephant ride US$90, bungee jumping US$120, game drive US$110, airport transfer to town US$20 one way.

Only the Victoria Falls Rainforest has a two-tier pricing structure.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has introduced dual pricing where locals pay US$7 and international tourists are paying US$30 as entry fee.

Said Eng Mzembi: "The tourism industry should urgently review the pricing system for the growth of domestic tourism.

"We are working on new regulations on the issue of rates aimed at empowering locals by means of connecting them to our abundant resources, our own heritage. It is unfortunate that we have existing Shylocks in the sector who are holding the permits in trust on behalf of Zimbabweans who want to hold us at ransom.

"Remember locals travel as families, with their parents and friends and paying US$90 per head for a family of five for elephant rides is unreasonable. It is not acceptable."

Government would be forced to re-look at the licensing of operators as their rates were disempowering Zimbabweans.

He added that Government gave tour and adventure operators licences to run game reserves, boat cruises and other activities in the sector for the benefit of Zimbabweans.

Meanwhile, Eng Mzembi said domestic tourists were leading in terms of arrivals in the resort town.

He said these were mostly Zimbabweans in the Diaspora who brought in family members, South Africa-based locals and some working in the country.

"The holiday has been characterised by long queues at most of the country's resorts. At the Rainforest there were long queues. Tour and adventure companies were booking forward tourists as they are fully booked at the moment," said Eng Mzembi.With the UN World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in 2013 in mind, Eng Mzembi said the Government was working on reviewing Statutory Instrument (SI) 124 and 125 for recapitalisation and importation of vehicles for the safari industry.

Previously, there was SI 46 and 60.

"SI 124 concentrates on the importation of capital goods like carpets and equipment while SI 125 looks at vehicles but these are restricted to safari operators. However, this should also benefit the hospitality industry.

"At the same time we are working on accessing soft loans for the sector through the International Development Bank of Africa so that the operators have the resources to import goods and services in preparation for the general assembly," he said.

By The Herald