The hospitality industry reasonably expects bumper income from World Cup fans come 2010. The competition’s hotting up – not only between hospitality groups, but entire countries within the sub region.

Karikoga Kaseke, chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Board, says it best. “We are all very much aware that a great number of tourists will fail to get accommodation in South Africa. However, we must remember that Zimbabwe is not the only neighbouring country.”

He makes no bones about the fact that other countries such as Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Botswana among others will also be fighting for a share of the remaining tourists, and “it is therefore of great importance that Zimbabwe represents itself through displaying high standards even for lower classed facilities”.

Kaseke warns that Zimbabwe has a fight on its hands if it wants its share of 2010’s football faithful. “South Africa is not going to just give all the remaining visitors during 2010 to Zimbabwe,” he says. “Like every other country, they want them all for themselves. However, they cannot house them. It therefore becomes a matter of urgency for our hospitality industry to pull up their socks and lure these remaining visitors by showing better standards than the rest,” he admonishes.

africasia.com