• 101 staffers vaccinated
  • Move expected to boast confidence from both local and foreign tourists

Leading hotelier African Sun Limited says the on-going vaccination program currently undergoing in Zimbabwe, and particularly the one held at Victoria Falls will be a game changer for the hospitality sector.

The hospitality industry was one of the most hit by Covid 19 in 2020 due to lockdowns and travel bans instituted by most countries around the world.

In its third quarter trading ended September 30, 2020, African Sun recorded a year-over-year occupancy decrease of 37 percent, but an improvement from 5 percent in Q2 to 14 percent in Q3, largely driven by the relaxation of lockdown restrictions, together with a number of promotional initiatives by the Group that enhanced demand.

African Sun’s share Price went up 9.81 percent in today’s trades to close at ZWL189.88c. Year to date the counter is up 14 percent against a broader ZSE All Share index which is up 57.7 percent.

Briefing members of the media in the resort town of Victoria Falls, African Sun Managing Director Ed Shangwa said 101 employees from Victoria Falls Hotel and Kingdom Hotel have already received their jabs, a move that is expected to boast confidence in the workforce from both local and foreign tourists.

https://stock-street.net/companies/chart/ASUN.zw

“This to us has been a momentous occasion as industry had gone through a lot of battering due to Covid-19. We are happy as the tourism industry being the biggest player in this destination in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“As African Sun we are very excited as this Government initiative is going to bring confidence from the international, regional and domestic market. As you know all our tourists will come from various borders, they would have been screened for Covid-19 and they will have undergone various tests.

“Similarly, when they get to a hotel like the Victoria Falls where we are, they will also expect to be served by staff who will already have been vaccinated.”

Additionally, Shangwa said he believe by the end of the vaccination process the hotelier will have 90 to 95 percent herd immunity for its hotels.

“This is a good initiative which the Government has embarked on and we hope it will be rolled out to other tourist destination. We believe this will be a game changer for the tourism industry.”

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