The wholesaler’s chairman, Mike Kirkland, said gradual growth in the market during 2009 took a leap in the last three months with Zimbabwe becoming the second most popular of the 15 countries to which Bench sent Australian travellers.
He said that traffic to Zimbabwe for the last quarter amounted to 13 per cent of Bench’s sales and consisted of both group and independent traffic.
Mr Kirkland added, ”What is more significant is that many of the itineraries included areas of Zimbabwe other than Victoria Falls. There has been a significant return of interest in places like Hwange National Park and Lake Kariba, where the legendary Bumi Hills property has been re-built.
“Though some visitors to the Victoria Falls Reserve have in recent times stayed on the Zambian side of the Zambezi many have continued to stay in properties on the Zimbabwean side like Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and the renowned Victoria Falls Hotel.
“Because of its remoteness – nearly 900km from the capital Harare – Victoria Falls has been largely isolated from political problems and has always been a popular stepping off point for Botswana’s Chobe National Park, home to Africa’s largest elephant population, and whitewater rafting activities on the Zambezi”.
He said that he believed the involvement of retail travel agents in Bench familiarisation tours that included Victoria Falls has been a major contributor to the change in public attitudes.
The increased interest has prompted Bench launch a new de luxe fly-in safari which takes in Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and Hwange National Park.
- David Baker & Associates Public Relations Consultants
