The Sunday Mail
Mtandazo Dube
This one is for the daddies.
Montclair Hotel will next month host an event dubbed “Fathers Exit Weekend” to celebrate Father’s Day and will feature superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Rockford “Roki” Josphat and DJ Eskay.
Montclair sales executive Tendai Chiripamberi said they were really going after promotion of domestic tourism, and Fathers Day was as good as any to get the ball rolling.
“Our people love to travel, but they want more than just site seeing. So we have to add some spice and it is really working. For instance, on June 25 we are celebrating Father’s Day in style at Montclair,” said Chiripamberi.
She added: “Father’s Exit weekend is centred on celebrating the fathers and showing appreciation for the important roles they play in society. This getaway is promising to be an exhilarating fun-filled weekend with activities for the whole family including braai, golf, sports, tours to places of interest and so much more.
“Exciting developments to note are that of the reopening of the resident Casino at the hotel and the resident shuttle Tours agent – Bonga Travel. This is a unique annual event set to wow our audience with entertainment lined up from the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi and Rockford Josphat aka Roki – a talented Zimbabwean artiste, dancer and actor. We can feel the excitement from the general public. This is also a great opportunity to sample changes at the hotel.”
Zimbabwe is the winner of many international tourism destination awards due to its great climate, renowned natural attractions, cultural diversity and welcoming people.
Montclair’s decision to partner superstar Mtukudzi to market the Eastern Highlands is a masterstroke. Tuku is Zimbabwe’s foremost Tourism Ambassador.
The Eastern Highlands, where Montclair is sited, are known for the serene, misty mountains of Juliasdale; the charming forests and mountains of Nyanga; and the ambience hot springs of Nyanyadzi.
Tuku, an exceptional performer who will have released his 63rd album by June 25, has promised a night to remember.
Speaking through his drummer-cum-manager, Sam Mataure, the icon said it was important to embrace domestic tourism.
“This country is beautiful. We know because we have travelled to all corners of this country but even though, we still cannot have enough of the several wonders of this nation. We are travelling more these days within Zimbabwe. Kariba, Nyanga, Victoria Falls, Masvingo etcetera, tourism players are inviting us to these places where our combined efforts are really making a difference.
“It does not matter which province one is in, in Zimbabwe every province has something to offer and it is important that Zimbabweans appreciate their own country before they even start to think about travelling outside the country,” he said.
Tuku, who has been to all continents of the world, playing at top festivals and for royalty, says home is always best.
“It does not matter how far and wide we travel around the world, coming back home and performing for our people, in our own backyard is always memorable,” he said.
He praised management at Montclair for taking the initiative to lead in terms of domestic tourism.
“As a country we are not getting many tourists from around the country, it is up to us to promote our own destinations.
If foreigners join us, well, that is fine but for now we need to encourage each other to travel and see our own country – it is beautiful.”
