The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
PLAYERS in the hospitality industry who are still stuck in the old ways of doing business got a rude awakening at the just ended annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
The country is currently facing serious cash shortages and consequently those that opted to stick to cash payments suffered immensely while those who accepted plastic money made big bucks.
“There is no business to talk about. I think this Trade Fair is one of the worst I have ever experienced. Last year business was better. This time around we don’t even feel that ZITF is taking place because we are not making money, the week is so ordinary, there is nothing to talk about,” complained one taxi driver who identified himself as Nkosinathi Ncube.
Bekithemba Moyo, a gentleman who runs a small liquor enterprise just outside town weighed in, “It is proving difficult to get money (cash) from these guys. Either they want to swipe or use transfer facilities of which I’m not ready to conduct those kind of transactions. How will I be able to get cash to restock when my current store runs out? I don’t purchase most of my stuff in formal markets, besides I don’t want to end up queuing for my money in a bank.”
But to say there was no business to talk about would be a lie.
Daytime and night-life in Bulawayo changed extremely during the ZITF week as scores of people juggled between the exhibition grounds and a number of pleasure spots.
The movement presented a perfect business opportunity for those in the transport business considering that most of the delegates had flown to Bulawayo for the ZITF.
Sadly, most delegates were eager to try new adventures but failed to so as most of the joints preferred cash for their goods or services.
ZITF brings a big buzz that is easily felt in every corner of the City of Kings and Queens and surrounding areas. Accordingly, enterprising residents create side events not directly related to the festival but still running with the event’s theme.
Talk of face painters, makeshift amusement parks and clowns (better known by many as Ajigija) operating on the peripheries of the exhibition ground. yet still raking in healthy bucks.
ZITF is so big and important to the region such that the residents equate it to the festive season. Most delegates that grace the ZITF are by day serious businesspeople but when night falls, the ‘hedonism’ hidden in them comes to the fore and they party till dawn.
CBD clubs like Club 263, Private Lounge, Cubanna, Pub Lagondola, The Lounge and Club Connect are the most frequented joints and are often packed to capacity.
But daring professional men and women travel to emalokitshini (townships) to get the shebeen experience while others visit refreshing places like Windermere Hotel, which is located 14km from the city along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.
The recently re-opened hotel is one of the unique places one can find in Bulawayo.
Apart from being a good getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, it boasts of an environment that allows interaction with nature, boat cruising, fishing in Umguza River and also viewing of an assortment of wild animals.
The Natural History Museum, National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Khami National Monuments, Umguza Nature Reserve and Chipangali Wildlife Sanctuary are also a part of the tourism package in Bulawayo.
While night escapades are part of steaming-off after a long day at the exhibition halls, some cunning businesspeople also seize the opportunity to clinch or finalise business deals that would have been left hanging.
Seasoned hotel, restaurant, club and bar owners anticipate huge turn-outs and usually make advance plans for the event through getting huge stocks.
“I personally am happy with the kind of business we have received throughout the ZITF. Actually I can tell you that for the first time in a number of years we have recorded better sales,” confessed a manager from one of the top clubs in town.
“Our patrons enjoyed easy transacting because we have all possible transacting facilities at our clients’ disposal. Last year business was a bit depressed during ZITF because we were still insisting on cash transactions and we have since shifted from that unyielding mentality.”
Speaking before leaving the country on official business, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of corporate affairs Sugar Chagonda said events like ZITF and expos like Sanganai/Hlanganani, which is now set to place later this year in Bulawayo, have potential to boost international arrivals and improve business.
However, the ZTA official was quick to point out that businesspeople, particularly those in the hospitality sector, need to be proactive.
“We are always emphasising the need for players in the hospitality sector to embrace plastic money. This is the trend world over. ZITF just like Sanganai/Hlanganani attracts hordes of people, thus it offers a lot of business opportunities.
“But given the current cash shortages, it only makes sense for business to adopt other forms of payment. Besides it’s safe for both patrons and product or service providers to use plastic money. It attracts less crime,” explained Chagonda.
Organisers of the ZITF hope the event and its concurrent expos will continue attracting more visitors.
