A fuel shortage has dampened tourists' enthusiasm for travel by road, and hospitality firms in Victoria Falls say the town is feeling the pinch.
Despite a reported 90% room occupancy rate, tourism operators say self-drive tourists from Botswana, Namibia and SA have stayed away over the holiday period.
"This is because of the fuel situation," said an executive at a leading tourism company, who did not want to be identified. "Some who had made provisional bookings for both accommodation and activities had a change of mind following widespread media reports about fuel shortages, as they feared getting stuck in the country."
Clement Mukwasi, president of the Employers' Association for Safari and Tourism Operators, said locals filled the void. "However, they just do activities and go for meals without hanging around to spend [more money]. We have a situation where hotels are around 90% full and the majority of clients are domestic tourists."
Mukwasi said most flights in and out of Victoria Falls were fully booked. "Airlines have done a splendid job ferrying people between Harare and Johannesburg. This has, in a big way, supplemented road transportation."
Earlier this month, in an attempt to ensure adequate fuel supplies during the festive season, the government provided fuel for tour operators. But demand has outpaced supply. Victoria Falls taxi driver Jacob Mathe said that in addition to fewer tourists, "sometimes taxi operators lose clients … because there will be no fuel".
This weekend's Victoria Falls Carnival has headline acts from SA, including Prince Kaybee, Lady Zamar and Black Motion...