Beverly Bizeki
The much anticipated Lake October Great Zimbabwe Tourism Festival is set to light up the ancient city with more activities being lined up for the three day event this coming weekend.
Speaking at a press conference at Chevron Hotel in Masvingo, Lake October Great Zimbabwe Tourism Festival Head of Public Relations Tavita Mpala said there will be more activities including boat cruising and quad biking at slashed prices.
“We have major discounts for state of the art boat cruises from Thunder Run going for US $20 for a 15 minute cruise, prices for the quad bikes have been slashed to US$ 5.
“We have made efforts to ensure that everyone participates, we have a family fun day on the 22nd where entrance to the monuments is free with free activities like Zumba, Tug of war.
“We have roped in other entertainment sectors for the benefit of everyone in the province hence there will be a pre-party at Liquids Club International on Thursday,” said Mpala.
“We are expecting to make about USD $1,5 million not only as Lake October but as a Province, Hotel bookings are already at 85 -90% full and we have had ticket sales from people outside Masvingo from places like Chipinge, Victoria Falls, Kariba,” said Mpala.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Regional Manager Daniel Mumpande placed emphasis on the importance of festivals in bringing tourists to a destination.
“Festivals play an important role in bringing tourists, you can’t just come to Masvingo and see the Great Zimbabwe monuments and go back, you need to have some other activities to do like boat cruising which is one component that is missing in the province.
“We can have a resort where so many smaller activities can take place like a water world theme park as we have so much water in Lake Mutirikwi which is available to investors in that sector.
“The locals are going to benefit from participating as well as making sales,” said Mumpande.
E-square, M-Kay, K Gizzy, Jackson, King Shella, Spaction, Majesty, Tanaka D- Wemagetsi, Wekwamaramba the jazz artist and JP Magetsi are some of the local artists that will be performing at the festival.
Coincidentally Great Zimbabwe University is having its graduation which will likely make a buzz for ticket sales at the event.
Masvingo is home to some of the biggest water bodies in the province and there is need for investment in recreational facilities such as boat cruising and other water based activities.
