TOURISM operators along Lake Chivero have accused power utility Zesa of sabotaging their business after they spent the entire festive season without power.
Report by Moses Matenga
The operators claimed they lost considerable business because of the blackout as local visitors and foreign tourists – some from as far as China, Australia, India and South Africa, among other countries – abandoned them after power went off on Christmas Eve.
Gary Stafford of Kuimba Shiri, a bird sanctuary in the area, said he lost thousands of dollars as a result.
“For us, Zesa is critical because when visitors come and there is no hot water, there is no point for government officials to fly to Spain or any other country to promote tourism when the basics are not addressed,” he said.
“There has been no communication from Zesa and surprisingly today (yesterday) is the official last day of the festive season and power is back. I don’t understand this.”
He said he bought over 150 litres of fuel to keep generators running at full throttle, but felt that this killed the quietness that is associated with holidays and adored by holidaymakers.
“Tourists need a peaceful environment, but if we have such an environment, then it kills the whole purpose if we have generators running. We received several calls in the last week from people and the question they would ask is whether we have electricity or not and the answer put them off,” Stafford said.
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He said last year, they went for 38 consecutive days without power, but there was no explanation from Zesa.
Repeated efforts for a comment from Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira were futile yesterday.
The tour operators pleaded with Zesa to have a dedicated line for them to promote tourism ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly set for Victoria Falls in August this year.
