THE modernisation of the Golden Mile Hotel in Kwekwe is a reflection of confidence in and commitment to the development agenda, a Government official said.
The newly refurbished 55-roomed hotel was officially re-opened by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa last weekend at a colourful event at the hotel’s 1 500-seater conference facility.
The re-opening comes at a time when Kwekwe’s room capacity from lodges, guest houses and hotels has risen to 300.
Golden Mile Hotel, a member of the King Solomon Hotels Group, becomes sister to the new owner Solomon Matsa’s 100-roomed Mozambique Hotel and boasts superior service and state-of-the-art facilities.
Speaking at the re-opening of the re-branded US$7 million hotel, VP Mnangagwa said modernisation had made the hotel into one of the leading players in the sector.
“Its expanded capacity and re-mapped processes are a useful service differentiator that will re-position and place it in a new league of hospitality and leisure players in the country,” he said.
“I congratulate management on their cutting edge ability to anticipate and develop its service offer to satisfy both local and globally-travelled consumer expectations.
“These new physical changes, besides improving the customer service ratings of the hotel and attracting new business will also result in increased employee satisfaction, motivation and productivity.
“We also expect this expanded hotel will create more jobs and help in the training of students on attachment.”
The hotel’s conference facility will now be a preferred rendezvous for meeting and conferencing, unlike in the past when space was a constraint, resulting in the loss of business to neighbouring towns that offered bigger and better facilities.
The revamped hotel is expected to benefit meat, vegetables, cereals and fish suppliers among others.
VP Mnangagwa urged players to stay away from corrupt activities.
“The success of the tourism sector is largely a function of related ministries and it is therefore important that these play their part in a way that encourages repeat visits,” he said.
“Unfortunately this has not always been the case as at times visitors have been delayed at our border posts with further delays taking place in roadblocks as travellers drive through the country.
“Moreover, there have been allegations of bribes and corruption perpetuated by some Government employees further eroding the country’s image in the eyes of the visitor.
“Corruption discourages repeat visits and reduces visitor numbers in total.
“As Government, we will always work to ensure that all those fingered in corrupt activities are brought to book and as such we encourage people to report such malpractices to authorities.”
Also speaking during the event on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Walter Mzembi, Sports and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane said the re-opening of the hotel is a reminder to promote and revive tourism in all provinces across the country.
“Accordingly, the City of Kwekwe has vast potential to develop agro-tourism which is a direct expansion of eco-tourism which encourages visitors to experience agricultural life first hand as visitors are afforded the opportunity to work in the fields along real farmers, wade knee deep in the waters with fishermen and experience the farming community for the purposes of enjoyment, education or active involvement in the activities recognising Kwekwe is home to prime agricultural land and productive farms, for example Sherwood,” he said.
“This is not only a way to promote agro-tourism, but a unique way to rebrand our Land Reform Programme.
“Zimbabwe’s tourism is associated with travel, recreation and pleasure only and this is a worrying factor which needs attention because our economy is agro-based and as such the notion of tourism should be expanded to embrace knowledge sharing and agribusiness opportunities.”
The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Anastancia Ndhlovu encouraged the Kwekwe community to grab opportunities in the tourism sector.
“I urge tourism stakeholders in general and the people of Kwekwe in particular to treat the re-launch of the Golden Mile Hotel as a stepping stone in our common efforts towards making and promoting a true pillar of national development,” she said.
Solomon Matsa said the Golden Mile Hotel would not be his only project in the country as plans to open another facility in the resort town of Victoria Falls had been set in motion.
“This hotel is a member of the King Solomon Hotels Group with another 100 roomed hotel in Mozambique,” he said.
“We are planning to have another hotel in Victoria Falls and we are in the process of making this happen.”
Selby Zuma, who was part of the South African delegation to the event, described Zimbabwe as a safe and attractive destination for investment.
“I love Zimbabwe and I am always here,” said Zuma.
“One of my sisters is married here.
“We are looking to a possible joint venture to construct a hotel in Victoria Falls with Solomon.
“The relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa dates back to the liberation struggle when the ANC members were protected here.
“We have a rich history and so things will get better.”
Kwekwe boasts many gold mines thus offering potential for the development of mining tourism, a concept which the tourism ministry is keen to introduce.
If introduced, the Ministry proposes that mines can be opened to visitors in what will be called the ‘Mining Tourism Route’ with some former and abandoned mines being converted into tourist attractions.
Kwekwe also has colonial architecture and one of the finest museums in the country, the Kwekwe National Mining Museum.
It is also home to the Sikombela Detention Camp which can be designated as a tourist attraction for the liberation history of the country.
Township tourism can also be part of the package through the Mbizo and Amaveni townships.