Mgcini Dlamini
VICTORIA Falls dwellers have poop-poohed government’s re-opening of the tourism sector after seven months closure, saying few tourists are visiting the resort town.
“Re-opening of tourism isn’t bearing any fruits,” said Trymore Ndolo, Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VIFACORA) secretary general for Chinotimba township chapter.
“This is just a joke without direct flights from Europe, USA (United States of America) and Asia,” he added.
The government in October announced the re-opening of tourism as the state relaxed Covid-19 induced restrictions.
In late March, government ordered a national lockdown as a measure to combat the spread of the contagious Corona pestilence. Amongst other restrictions tourism attractions were closed and this saw a lot of people go unemployed.
Ndolo said Covid-19 had impoverished Victoria Falls residents.
“The Covid-19 has impacted negatively to the residents of Vic Falls. As the majority depend on tourism sector due to the ongoing lockdown people are now trapped in poverty without any income to sustain their daily needs,” he said.
Ndolo called upon the government to give the resort town dwellers a US$30 living voucher. “We just thank God we are still breathing despite that our government is not taking any measures to assist especially people from Victoria Falls who contribute more funds to the national cake. I just want to appeal to government to at least supply US$30 voucher to each and affected people till things get back to normal,” he said.
