Zim hotels too expensive: Tourism minister

​Tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira

BY JAMES MUONWA

Tourism minister, Prisca Mupfumira has said local hotels are too expensive and called on the relevant stakeholders to review cost structures.

The prevailing trend, the minister said during a conference address in Harare, resulted in Zimbabwe losing tourists to other Southern African countries, particularly South Africa and Zambia.

"Why should people come to Zimbabwe for the best view of the Victoria Falls and prefer to cross into Zambia to get accommodation? Why are our hotels so expensive?" she said rhetorically.

Accommodation in Zimbabwean hotels, depending on the star rating of the facility, averages $120 for a standard room per individual per night.

The minister also urged hospitality and tourism players to be innovative in packaging and marketing their products.

Mupfumira hailed the police for heeding calls to reduce roadblocks which had become a 'menace' to local and foreign visiting motorists.-BUSINESS