Zimbabwe’s African Sun Group has today closed down hotels and resorts citing the effects of COVID-19.
The company’s Managing Director, Edwin Shangwa says the group that owns the Holiday Inn brands had considered the well being of its staff and guests, in making the move.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and once contained we will consider the reopening of some or all our strategic business units, hotels and resorts after the stipulated period of 21 days Lockdown,” Shangwa says.
“The company has been closely monitoring the outbreak and its impact on the business. In addition to this, the Government announced on Friday 27 March 2020 that there will be a Lockdown measures implemented to combat the Coronavirus (COVID 19) with effect from Monday 30 March 2020.”
Ministry that is responsible for hotels, the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry had agreed with other government departments to set up a COVID-19 response committee according to a statement from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
The ZTA Acting Chief Executive, Givemore Chidzidzi, said the tourism sector is fully committed to putting people and their well-being first.
“Cooperation is vital for ensuring the sector can effectively contribute to the containment of COVID-19. TBCZ (Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe) and ZTA are working in close consultation and with other state partners to assist in ensuring that health measures are implemented in ways recommended by the Ministry of Health and Child Care”, he said.
The TBCZ President, Winnie Muchanyuka, said “The ZTA, TBCZ and the entire tourism industry stand ready to work closely with all those communities and countries affected by the current health emergency, to build a better and more resilient sector”, she said.
The tourism business is likely to suffer from the movement restrictions countries have put in place to contain COVID-19.
United Nations World Tourism Authority (UNWTO) estimates that in 2020 global international tourist arrivals could decline between 1% to 3%, down from an estimated growth of 3% to 4% forecast in early January 2020.
This could translate into a loss of US$ 30 to 50 billion in spending by international visitors (international tourism receipts) according to the international organisation.
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