The government has reportedly met the tourism industry leaders to discuss a bailout package after it emerged that the industry will incur losses between US$500 million to a billion dollars due to the pandemic that has brought the world to its knees, The Zimbabwe Independent reports.
This was reportedly revealed by Tourism Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu who spoke to the publication and said:
The rescue package is not yet in place but we are hoping to have one ready soon. We will arrive at a figure together with those we are working with in the sector, including the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the private sector backed by the Tourism Recovery Strategy. It will not be a thumbsuck figure. It will be a scientific backed figure according to available resources.
Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe chairperson Emmanuel Fundira speaking to the publication reportedly said the 2020 tourism season was a write off because of the pandemic. ZNCC in their report also said the sector will completely crumple if the lockdown is extended.
More: The Zimbabwe Independent