Is There Room in the Inn? Towards Incorporating People with Disability in Tourism Planning

Despite the fact that tourism is as much a social right to people with disabilities as it is for the so-called able-bodied people, the former group received little focus worldwide until very recently. Little emphasis has been given to ensuring that people with disabilities have access to tourism facilities despite the fact that they now constitute a substantial market for tourism operators globally. While Zimbabwe’s tourism fortunes are moving in a positive direction, where is the person with disabilities? Has anyone considered them in terms of economic as well as physical access to tourism products? This research endeavoured to explore the state of affairs in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector where accessibility is concerned. The researcher modified the Scandic’s accessibility questionnaire and used it as a checklist for accessibility of hotels and lodges. Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry and organisations that represent people with disabilities, were also consulted in the survey. While economic policies are being crafted to bring the country back to its feet, little is being done in providing access to tourism by people with disabilities

Perceived Economic Impact of Religious Tourism: The Case of Zimbabwe

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the perceived economic impact of religious tourism in Zimbabwe. The research objectives were (1) to determine the nature of religious tourism in Zimbabwe, (2) to determine the key success factor for economically viable religious tourism in Zimbabwe, (3) to ascertain the perceived economic contribution of religious tourism, and finally (4) to propose strategies for economically sustainable religious tourism in Zimbabwe. Methods: The research adopted a qualitative approach and was descriptive in nature. The study focused on Harare and the study population was made up of a cross-section of tourism service providers in Harare, religious leaders, and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Purposive sampling was used for service providers and as well as religious leaders. Results: The research findings revealed that there are a lot of religious tourism activities that take place in Zimbabwe, particularly Harare, and normally take the form of pilgrimages, religious conferencing, healing and deliverance nights, and worship. The perceived economic value derived includes employment creation for the locals, an increase in foreign currency generation, and an increase in sales revenue. The research findings also show that for religious tourism to be economically sustainable there is a need for government involvement, re-packaging of the product, and investment in local infrastructure. Implications: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the private sector need to take the religious tourism market seriously and make deliberate efforts to harness this growing market

Development of a Destination Image Recovery Model for Enhancing the Performance of the Tourism Sector in the Developing World

This chapter is based on a doctoral thesis on the development of a destination image (DI) recovery model for enhancing the performance of the tourism sector in Zimbabwe. The study was prompted by the failure of African destinations to develop DI image recovery models. A pragmatist paradigm, a convergent parallel mixed methodology research approach and a cross sectional survey were adopted. A sample of three hundred and nineteen comprising international tourists, service providers and key informants was used. A structured, semi-structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and AMOS version 25 while qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo version 12. Tests were conducted using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the multiple independent variables. The major findings were that price, ancillary services and amenities significantly influenced affective image while ancillary services significantly influenced destination performance. The study recommended that the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry trains tourism stakeholders including the host community in order to achieve sustainable destination image recovery

Institution of Special Economic Zones in Zimbabwe: Lessons from the international experience and implications for tourism zone development: paper presented at the Midlands State University 1st International Research Conference: Driving Socio-Economic Development through Value Addition and Sustainable use of Resources, held at Elephant Hills Resort, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 14-16 July 2015

The introduction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Zimbabwe is currently a topical issue. The success of the ZIMASSET Plan in growing the economy depends on how much investment the country is able to attract from within and outside its borders. Special Economic Zones are renowned for their ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from developed countries. This paper’s main thrust is to generate more debate and enthusiasms among stakeholders in SEZ development. The paper gives background information to the introduction of SEZs in Zimbabwe, and discusses the objectives and benefits of SEZS to developing countries and more specifically Zimbabwe. A literature survey revealed the African and Asian experience with SEZs. In the process, common mistakes that Zimbabwe must avoid are given and key success factors are highlighted. The article then attempts to build a case for the establishment of a tourism zone in Victoria Falls. The Chinese experience clearly support the conduciveness of a tourism zone in Victoria Falls since it is located strategically at a border with three countries, is part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Park and already has a refurbished international airport and one of the wonders of the world, the falls

Utilization of the Zambezi River Basin for Tourism: Opportunities and Challenges: Opportunities and Challenges

Purpose: Zambezi River Basin (ZRB) is one of the top ranking tourist destinations in Southern Africa. It is one of the five longest river basins in Africa blessed with diversified wildlife. The popular stopovers along the river basin are Caprivi, Victoria Falls and Livingstone, Kariba, Kafue, Cahora Bassa and Zambezi Delta. It offers variety of tourist attractions including boating, cruising, kayaking, diving, walking along the river bank, bungee jumping, white water rafting, fishing, hunting and flying over the Basin. However, it seems that the development of facilities around the Basin like hotels, cottages, campsites, trails, tourism complexes and walkways does not match with the opportunities the ZRB offers. Keeping this in mind, the present study explores the challenges and the possibility of tourism development along the Zambezi River Basin (ZRB). Methods: The study is solely based on the Literature synthesis generated from secondary sources based on reports and articles published in academic journals. Results: Diverse wildlife and scenic beauty are the main opportunities for the region to develop tourism. However poor road and air communication and other infrastructural weaknesses are the major obstacles for the region to develop tourism. Implications: Governments and the private entrepreneurs should work together in developing infrastructure as well as tourist attractions in the region, including road, water and air transportation, electricity supply, gaming options, spa, and other such facilities. Limitations: The paper is based only on literature synthesis to arrive at the conclusion and recommendation. The literature is relatively scant and most of the available literature is from reports. Survey methods can be used to have a broader comprehension of the challenges and the opportunities of the region

Leisure travel patterns of Zimbabwe's urban population and their predictors

This study sought to measure the current leisure travel propensity of Zimbabwe's urban residents. The study was prompted by the limited information regarding domestic tourism worldwide and particularly in developing countries despite efforts by some of these countries such as Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Rwanda to promote domestic tourism. There is therefore a need to provide updated information on domestic leisure travel patterns and their predictors. This may enhance the development of more appropriate domestic tourism strategies for the countries from which domestic tour packages and marketing strategies can be designed to stimulate this market. The data for this study were collected from a survey of 600 urban dwellers from the country's five major urban areas, namely Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, and Masvingo. A comprehensive self-administered questionnaire was employed to collect the relevant data on leisure travel patterns and willingness to travel for leisure. Cross tabulations, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis, using STATA version 11.0, were used to assess the association between the variables. A number of intriguing and interesting revelations were noted in this study. The key recommendation emanating from this study is the need for Zimbabwe and other developing countries to urgently establish agencies that conduct surveys on domestic tourism. Furthermore, due to the common dilemma of underfunding in these countries, institutions of higher learning, especially those universities offering tourism studies, could undertake these surveys using their research grants