Zimbabwe to charge concessionary rates to ICASA delegates

Zimbabwe is going to charge delegates to the International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa which will be held in Harare from 29 November to 4 December concessionary rates, Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi said.

He was responding to questions from legislators after they expressed concern that some delegates might end up sleeping in South Africa because Zimbabwe was considered too expensive.

“Before the conference begins, we agreed with the organisers of the meeting that delegates will be getting a certain concessional rate,” Mzembi said.

“I have not received any report complaining that we are very expensive here such that they are going to be sleeping in South Africa. I think they are all going to be staying here in Zimbabwe.

“What I am saying is that, one can go and register their homes with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA). You can now spend your bonuses and put them away or in your pockets. This is the time for you to make money as well. This is the empowerment we are always talking about.”

Q & A:

*HON. MAPIKI: My question is directed to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. We would like to know how far he has gone in terms of the preparations for ICASA and how far he has gone in preparing for those visitors who will be staying in South Africa, and coming to spend the day here because they say things here are expensive.

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. ENG. MZEMBI): Thank you Hon. Speaker. We are very advanced with the preparations for ICASA and all systems go, we are on course and as far as accommodation is concerned, as I indicated last time…

HON. CHINOTIMBA: On a Point of order Madam Speaker.

THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. DZIVA): What is your point of order Hon. Chinotimba?

*HON. CHINOTIMBA: My point of order is that when we speak in the vernacular, we want the whole country to understand. Hon. Mzembi is from Masvingo, he is a Karanga. We have killed our country by speaking in English. He should speak in the vernacular for everyone to understand.

*HON. ENG. MZEMBI: I would like to thank Hon. Chinotimba for asking me to speak in the vernacular. What I would like to say is that this meeting that is going to be held in Harare where people will be talking about HIV/AIDs – I cannot translate HIV/AIDs into Karanga, the preparations are progressing very well. We have more than enough accommodation, hotels and some homes whose owners have registered for hospitality purposes and people can go and stay. We have plenty of food and there is no need for our people to go and eat food in South Africa. Everything is on course and even electricity distribution has improved. I have not received any report, especially hotels in Harare that they have had power cuts. I would like to thank the Minister for the provision of electricity in hotels. I also urge everyone to be very friendly to our visitors who are coming. I thank you.

HON. MAPIKI: Hon. Minister, a lot of visitors who are coming to Zimbabwe are complaining that Zimbabwean hotels are very expensive. Some people from the hotels are saying that the Government has imposed some fees and this results in things becoming very expensive for them. What is it that the Government will do to assist them?

HON. ENG. MZEMBI: Before the conference begins, we agreed with the organisers of the meeting that delegates will be getting a certain concessional rate. I have not received any report complaining that we are very expensive here such that they are going to be sleeping in South Africa. I think they are all going to be staying here in Zimbabwe. What I am saying is that, one can go and register their homes with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA). You can now spend your bonuses and put them away or in your pockets. This is the time for you to make money as well. This is the empowerment we are always talking about.

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