Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The global proliferation of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been unprecedented, with far-reaching implications for the world. As nations began to grapple with its untold effects in March 2020, global tourism succumbed to an unusual and implausible new reality. Most parts of the w...

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Main Author: Moment Bhebhe
Other Authors: Midlands State University
Format: research article
Language:English
Published: United Nations Ecoomic Commission for Africa 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5217
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author Moment Bhebhe
author2 Midlands State University
author_facet Midlands State University
Moment Bhebhe
author_sort Moment Bhebhe
collection DSpace
description The global proliferation of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been unprecedented, with far-reaching implications for the world. As nations began to grapple with its untold effects in March 2020, global tourism succumbed to an unusual and implausible new reality. Most parts of the world, including Zimbabwe, imposed international and domestic travel bans and restrictions in order to prevent the spread of the virus, believed to have originated in China in December 2019. Victoria Falls, top tourism resort in Zimbabwe, submitted to the inevitable. The present paper explores the effects of COVID-19 on the tourism business and employment in Victoria Falls, using selected tourism operators. The impacts of a pandemic are never universal and should be studied in particular contexts. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 lockdown measures imposed by the Government of Zimbabwe more than a year ago heralded the worst performance of the sector. Operating capacities reduced to inconceivable levels and constrained the capacity operators to honour statutory obligations and maintain commitment to corporate social responsibilities. The requirement for operators to equip themselves with COVID-19 health-care supplies – an unforeseen expense – exacerbated business vulnerability. As business uncertainty remained high, and to save businesses, operators were forced to implement labour cost reduction measures such as job cuts, reduced working hours, unpaid leave and reduced salaries. Effective containment of the COVID-19 pandemic will significantly alleviate the distress experienced by the tourism industry
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spelling ir-11408-52172022-11-16T10:23:38Z Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Moment Bhebhe Midlands State University COVID-19 tourism tourism operators Victoria Falls Zimbabwe The global proliferation of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been unprecedented, with far-reaching implications for the world. As nations began to grapple with its untold effects in March 2020, global tourism succumbed to an unusual and implausible new reality. Most parts of the world, including Zimbabwe, imposed international and domestic travel bans and restrictions in order to prevent the spread of the virus, believed to have originated in China in December 2019. Victoria Falls, top tourism resort in Zimbabwe, submitted to the inevitable. The present paper explores the effects of COVID-19 on the tourism business and employment in Victoria Falls, using selected tourism operators. The impacts of a pandemic are never universal and should be studied in particular contexts. The findings reveal that the COVID-19 lockdown measures imposed by the Government of Zimbabwe more than a year ago heralded the worst performance of the sector. Operating capacities reduced to inconceivable levels and constrained the capacity operators to honour statutory obligations and maintain commitment to corporate social responsibilities. The requirement for operators to equip themselves with COVID-19 health-care supplies – an unforeseen expense – exacerbated business vulnerability. As business uncertainty remained high, and to save businesses, operators were forced to implement labour cost reduction measures such as job cuts, reduced working hours, unpaid leave and reduced salaries. Effective containment of the COVID-19 pandemic will significantly alleviate the distress experienced by the tourism industry Volume 6, Nos 1 & 2 61 88 2022-11-16T10:23:38Z 2022-11-16T10:23:38Z 2021 research article https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5217 en Journal of African Transformation 2411–5002 open United Nations Ecoomic Commission for Africa
spellingShingle COVID-19
tourism
tourism operators
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
Moment Bhebhe
Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
title Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
title_full Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
title_short Effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
title_sort effects of coronavirus disease on tourism business and employment in eight selected operators in victoria falls, zimbabwe
topic COVID-19
tourism
tourism operators
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
url https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5217
work_keys_str_mv AT momentbhebhe effectsofcoronavirusdiseaseontourismbusinessandemploymentineightselectedoperatorsinvictoriafallszimbabwe