The Sunday Mail
THE country’s hospitality industry has hemorrhaged an estimated US$6 million since the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa as visitors continue to cancel bookings.
About 30 buyers have pulled out of the 2014 Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo so far.
The Ebola outbreak, which has mainly affected Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, has claimed more than 4000 lives since July this year.
Fear of the disease has led countries around the world to control and restrict movement, especially from West Africa.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Mr Karikoga Kaseke today told journalists paid bookings were being unilaterally cancelled as a result of epidemic.
“We have not done a total Ebola impact assessment but we have been adversely affected. Close to US$6 million has been lost by the end of September as visitors that had confirmed their bookings and some who had even paid for their bookings cancelled and are demanding their money back,” said Mr Kaseke.
He said Sanganai/ Hlanganani, which kicks-off tomorrow, has also been affected by the Ebola epidemic as 30 buyers from Malaysia, China and other European countries cancelled “because of Ebola stories coming out of the media”.
Mr Kaseke urged the media to be responsible when reporting on Ebola issues because reckless stories will affect tourism and other economic sectors.
Meanwhile, 115 companies have confirmed participation at the Expo, while 4 058 square metres has been taken up.
80 buyers are expected to join in the tourism fete.
Egypt, Kenya and Dubai will participate in the Sanganai Expo for the first time.
