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The Herald, October 21, 1991

ZIMBABWE’S major tourist attraction, Victoria Falls, will now be able to accommodate more travellers with the opening of the gigantic Elephant Hills Hotel early next year. 

The 276-roomed hotel, being extended and refurbished by a local group to the tune of $150 million, is one of the biggest developments within the tourism industry in the country so far. 

The gigantic hotel offering unique facilities for tourists brings to seven the total number of hotels in this resort town, on the southern back of the mighty Zambezi River. 

The latest addition besides the Elephant Hills is the Ilala Lodge, in the town centre and just adjacent to the Makasa Sun. 

The seven hotels can accommodate nearly 16 000 people at any given time, a big boost to the tourism industry, which is one of the leading foreign currency earners for Zimbabwe’s ailing economy. Last year alone, the industry earned more than $230 million in foreign currency and this year especially with the current 28th Summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government, the figure could be much higher. 

The Elephant Hills Hotel, where the Commonwealth Heads of Government stayed for their traditional weekend retreat during the summit, is an imposing building, perched on a small hilltop. 

It is being refurbished after it was destroyed by rockets during the liberation struggle that led to Zimbabwe’s Independence. 

This weekend, the front of the hotel is a medley of colours with the flags of the 50 members of the Commonwealth group flying at full mast. 

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

Accommodation is a very important part of the tourism infrastructure and development industry. 

 It creates a home away from home for the tourist and gives the needed comfort and convenience. 

 As Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Tourism embarks on the promotion of Zimbabwean tourism to the outside world, there is also need to emphasize and promote the quality of  accommodation for local and international tourists. 

 Tourist accommodation performs an important function within both the context of rural and urban tourism. 

 It provides the opportunity for visitors to stay for a length of time to enjoy the locality and its attractions, while their spending contributes to the economy.