Zimpapers Logo

The Rhodesia 

Herald, May 9, 1967 

THE worsening shortage of whisky, wines, and imported liquor is to be discussed at a meeting of the Hotel Association of Rhodesia in Salisbury tomorrow. 

Also, the Rhodesia Bottle Store Liquor Association has asked the Government to increase the import currency allocations for liquor, but has not yet received a reply. Allocations were cut drastically for the last import quota period. 

A former vice chairman of the Association, Mr A. Ruda, said: “Certain types of wines are very hard to get, and I understand that Bulawayo is very short of whisky. 

“This problem is going to become quite serious. It will be discussed at Wednesday’s meeting, and we are trying through the Tourist Advisory Board to get the Government to do something.” 

The chairman of the Salisbury branch of the Bottle Store Association, Mr P. Simliet, said: “This is something that is affecting the whole of the liquor trade. All imported lines are short or getting short, and stocks are getting low.” 

An editorial in the May edition of the Rhodesian Bottle Store and Hotel Review says the Government should increase the currency allocations for imported liquor. 

The editorial says that with the upsurge in tourism, hoteliers and restaurant owners must be in a position to give tourists the drinks they want. But, it says, “The allocation of currency for imported liquor has been slashed for every new period until it is now almost useless”. 

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

 The hospitality industry is mainly concerned with providing food, beverages and in terms of hotels the provision of accommodation. It is important that companies in the sector always have adequate stocks to cater for different tastes. 

 Alcohol, whether locally-made and imported especially in the hospitality industry is big business that should not be underestimated. 

 The tourism sector is critical in any country because it brings in foreign currency and anything that affects it such as inadequate stocks of alcohol is something that should not be allowed to happen. 

 Following the relaxations of the Covid-19 restrictions, there are expectations of growth in the tourism industry. The sector should therefore be allocated adequate foreign currency in order to satisfy their clients’ needs.