Hospitality firms in Victoria Falls have been challenged to increase their social commitment programmes to contribute to the transformation of communities around them and to complement government efforts in ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic development.
Regardless of the subdued performance of the Victoria Falls destination during the first nine months of the year, as evidenced by the five percentage points decline in room occupancy and a marginal drop in tourist traffic, this has not deterred some of the leading hospitality firms to enhance their social commitment initiatives.
In separate interviews after the handover of linen and other gifts to the Chinotimba based Rose of Charity Children’s Home, Elephant Hills General Manager Chiku Mulinde and African Sun Operations Executive Derrick Kung concurred on the need for players in the hospitality industry to assist in the transformation of host communities.
“We recognize that we don’t operate in a vacuum and we are in this community where there are people who need our support. This is our small way of giving back to the host community,” said Mulinde.
“We are very grateful that Rose of Charity gave us this opportunity to give back to the community and we believe this will go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of the young ones,” reiterated Kung.
Meanwhile, Victoria Falls based Airport Football Club players and technical staff who recently received soccer kits and other gifts courtesy of leading tour operator Shearwater Adventures have been encouraged to be tourism ambassadors and help market the destination.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has in the recent past been carrying out a global campaign to promote sustainable tourism with more emphasis on the role of tourism in poverty alleviation, empowerment of disadvantaged communities and fostering inclusive economic development.
