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Prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Zimbabwean Tourism and Hospitality Sector had been rapidly growing, reaching a 2,579,974 tourism arrivals in 2018, a 6% increase from 2017. Tourists also had a lot of money to spend in that year, Zimbabwe is estimated to have generated $1.051 Billion from foreign receipts only in the Economy whilst domestic tourism is estimated to have contributed $335 Million. It is undoubtedly one of the key sectors driving the Zimbabwean Economy and like any other sector, loaded up with opportunities entrepreneurs can monetize from.
Procurement and supply chain
On a daily basis lodges and hotels are involved in procurement of food stuff, toiletries and other things that would make them maintain their status. In food stuff, they require variety of meat, vegetables, wines, fruits, spices only to mention a few. These are produce an entrepreneur can supply to local restaurants, lodges and or hotels in his or her local community. Prove yourself reliable, negotiate for a long term contract and supply high grade produce. The world has been going digital, so is the supply chain sector in terms of global tourism. Probably a Business to Business E-Commerce platform between producers and hotels may be popular, you just need to brainstorm and come up with the best strategy.
Accommodation
In the year 2018, Average Hotel Room Occupancy was above half in the 3 major cities, Harare 63%, Bulawayo 51% and Victoria Falls 58%. In all the above cities, a rise in occupancy was recorded as compared to the previous year. This indicates opportunities in the Accommodation Space of the Tourism Sector. The Hotel Business isn’t a bad one to go for as same as the lodges. Just find your target population, bring in something unique and incorporate affordable luxury as well. The concept of Air BnB is ideal in Zimbabwe as well, rent out your holiday house or any other house of yours you are not occupying and earn from it.
Pub and Night Clubs
Considering the spending budget of the tourists, the Pub and Night Club Business can be a good idea. After daily activities, people would love to relax, party and or drink in a pub and or night club and this may classify your service as an essential one. All you need to do in this sector is to build a recognized brand with tight security and diverse entertainment. Your brand should also symbolize your target population’s desired lifestyle.
Event Venue
Whilst Covid-19 did a lot of damage to this business, things seems to be slowly getting back to normal. We are approaching December as well, a month full of weddings which makes the business of wedding venues a lucrative one. Usually on a wedding day, one would want to create memories that will never fade away hence a top priority to both reception and photoshoot venue. Your brand should create memories that will never fade away in the couple’s memories, by so doing, word of mouth will do the marketing for you. The same opportunity is there too for corporate training and NGOs Workshops. Strategically position yourself, build a brand and the rest will follow.
Transport Services
Tourists would love to travel from point A to B and what they will absolutely want is luxury blended with freedom. This creates a great opportunity for car rental services whilst offering different packages. Some may love to travel in a group hence incorporation of mini-buses that has a touch of luxury may win clients’ hearts. To add on, in 2018 2,242,780 tourists arrived by road, it was a 6% increase from the previous year, that creates space for the bus services. On the other hand, 337,194 tourists came in by air in the year 2018, it was a 9% increase from the previous year, all these positive growth rate indicate a bright future for the tourism sector and it calls for action from Entrepreneurs.
Recreation and outdoor activities
This is a lucrative opportunity whilst focusing on both domestic and international tourists. With this approaching festive season, parents would love to go out with the rest of the family to have outdoor activities such as game viewing and a braai out only to mention a few. Kids would also be obsessed with games like jumping castles, boat riding you name the other activities. In most families, Sundays are considered family days and probably coming up with a recreational center that gives families a lovely Sunday may see you excel in this business.
Traveling agent
With tourism, it’s more of comfort, stress relief and convenience, provide that to travelers by being a traveling agent. You secure their accommodation bookings and make traveling arrangements for them just to make them feel like Kings because they really are. You need to connect with a number of service providers and also create a brand that symbolize reliability and gives clients a wide range of choices to make. Make use of the digital space and connect with you clients there. Another big shot is in consolidating all travelling agency and service providers on one platform, think on how to achieve this.
Fine Art
Tourists are obsessed with the culture of some destinations they reach and with fine art. This creates an opportunity for local sculptors and painters. Fit yourself in the market, create art that tourists cannot resist and make yourself a fortune.
