PLAYERS in the hotel and tourism industry have applied for licences to import food products to cushion themselves against shortages triggered by the government price controls.
The Financial Gazette understands that the hotel industry has started engaging the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Francis Nhema on the issue.
Rainbow Tourism Group chief executive officer (CEO) Chipo Mutasa told The Financial Gazette hospitality players were seeking permission to import food products such as beef, dairy products, flour, fish and wines.
"It will come in handy if we do not find any of the stuff on the local market. We do not want to compromise on our services," Mutasa said.
There has been a shortage of most basic commodities on the market following a blanket freeze on products by the government last month.
The government's move sparked panic buying and hoarding among consumers, resulting in empty shelves after producers failed to supply.
Mutasa said most hoteliers had experienced shortages but were mainly cushioned by their capacity to buy in bulk.
The government also banned the import and export of various goods with effect from August 1.
Statutory instruments 137 and 138 of 2007 bans the importation of goods such as beef, butter, cooking oil, milk, cheese, sugar, tea, wheat flour, ice-cream, fertiliser, cotton lint and hides and skins without a permit.
The situation poses serious challenges to the industry, once one of the largest foreign currency earners.
The tourism industry was beginning to regain its place as a key economic sector after suffering a downturn in the aftermath of the 2000 land reform exercise.
The local tourism industry also has to gear up for the 2010 World Cup taking place in neighbouring South Africa.
Shortages will compromise the status of the industry, which is expected to host regional and international visitors during the showcase.
Zimbabwe was recently rated among the top five destinations in Africa, according to recent nominations revealed by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for 2007.
The nominated countries included South Africa, Tanzania, Morocco and Egypt.
The Financial Gazette understands that the hotel industry has started engaging the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Francis Nhema on the issue.
Rainbow Tourism Group chief executive officer (CEO) Chipo Mutasa told The Financial Gazette hospitality players were seeking permission to import food products such as beef, dairy products, flour, fish and wines.
"It will come in handy if we do not find any of the stuff on the local market. We do not want to compromise on our services," Mutasa said.
There has been a shortage of most basic commodities on the market following a blanket freeze on products by the government last month.
The government's move sparked panic buying and hoarding among consumers, resulting in empty shelves after producers failed to supply.
Mutasa said most hoteliers had experienced shortages but were mainly cushioned by their capacity to buy in bulk.
The government also banned the import and export of various goods with effect from August 1.
Statutory instruments 137 and 138 of 2007 bans the importation of goods such as beef, butter, cooking oil, milk, cheese, sugar, tea, wheat flour, ice-cream, fertiliser, cotton lint and hides and skins without a permit.
The situation poses serious challenges to the industry, once one of the largest foreign currency earners.
The tourism industry was beginning to regain its place as a key economic sector after suffering a downturn in the aftermath of the 2000 land reform exercise.
The local tourism industry also has to gear up for the 2010 World Cup taking place in neighbouring South Africa.
Shortages will compromise the status of the industry, which is expected to host regional and international visitors during the showcase.
Zimbabwe was recently rated among the top five destinations in Africa, according to recent nominations revealed by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for 2007.
The nominated countries included South Africa, Tanzania, Morocco and Egypt.
No comments:
Post a Comment