By Dr. Tony Michel Zvimba Monda
An influx of tourist arrivals was witnessed in the newly liberated country following Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.
Fast forward to 2007 a world recession crippled the travel and tourism industry the world over, more so in Zimbabwe where tourism declined drastically following the fast-track land reform programme initiated in 2000.
Dreams for its revival were thwarted when Zimbabwe underestimated South Africa’s capacity to host the 2010 World Cup.
Many had expectations of hosting the ‘overflow’ of visitors during the soccer extravaganza, eagerly refurnished old and built new hotels. But without the anticipated tourists, they became white elephants.
Travel has been part of human history since the beginning of time when man moved about in search of food and shelter.
Since then, commerce has been an important motivator for travel. Caravan routes were established from Eastern Europe to North Africa by 3000 BC., and on to India and China.
By 1200 BC., Phoenician merchant vessels were plying the Mediterranean Sea tracing routes stretching from Britain to Africa.
Motivated by the expansion of their Empire, the Romans were the first to travel on land on a large scale, conquering and undertaking massive road building. Roman highways featured wheel changing stations and rest houses every 15 to 30 miles.
As in contemporary times, people in ancient times travelled for pleasure. Health also provided an impetus for travel.
People believed ‘the waters’ in certain locations possessed healing properties and would visit them for rest and recuperation – much like Rupise-Hot Springs in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe.
With the growth of organized religion, pilgrims became common in many parts of the world.
Muslims travelled to Mecca – and still do. Christians travelled to shrines all over Europe and beyond.
Motivated by trade in 1275, the Venetian Marco Polo was the first European long-distance traveller to trade in Kublai Khan’s empire.
Tales of his exploits and the Silk and Spice Routes influenced other explores such as Christopher Columbus to visit distant lands.
By the 13th Century trade emerged as the prime motivator for travel. Improved navigation skills, the development of the magnetic compass, better world maps and faster and better sailing ships opened the oceans to further explorations in the 14th and 1 th centuries.
During this time, MaDzimbahwe was at its zenith trading with Arabs and Portuguese traders as well as traders as far afield as China.
During the Renaissance period (14th -17th Centuries), travel for cultural and artistic reasons became popular for aristocrats, diplomats, scholars and young women to make extended tours of the Continent, visiting Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, Munich, Vienna and other cities of central Europe, known as the Grand Tour. In fact, a young ladies education was not considered ‘complete’ until she under took the culture-artistic tour.
The Grand Tour was the inspiration and impetus for Springstone Art Gallery and Cultural Foundation’s regular cultural induction workshops and local art tours introduced and conducted by proprietors and co-directors myself and Michelina Andreucci Ponter, held at 5 Idlehurst Way in Avondale, Harare, from the mid-1990s to mid-2000 when tourism began to wane.
Modern technology became a major force in travel.
The development of the steam ship, the locomotive, the automobile (it made travel affordable, feasible and continent), and the airplane, which put long distance travel within reach of more people by decreasing the cost and length of time necessary for a long trip.
The rapid growth of the railroad during the last half of the 19th century made long distance travelling possible for ordinary people for the first time in history. With the growth of the railroad came the development and growth of holiday resorts.
Business travel also increased significantly with the development of the railroad. In turn, it brought about the demand for a uniform standard of hotel quality by the business traveller. However, most establishments lacked facilities to serve families with children.
The highway hotel and restaurant to cater for this demographic sector was only conceived and developed after the end of World War II.
The experience of flying gained during the First World War together with a surplus plane, was the impetus for commercial aviation in both Britain and America where the first commercial flights were inaugurated in 1918.
In 1919 the British launched their first trans-channel commercial flight linking London and Paris. Each flight took 2½ hours. The first planes were converted bombers with both pilot and passenger sitting in the open cockpit.
In the early 1970’s, prior to Zimbabwe’s independence, Air Rhodesia (now Air Zimbabwe), offered weekend return flights to Johannesburg on converted DC8 bomber planes left over from the Second World War.
The flights which took 2½ hours each way cost Rhod$50.
Commercial aviation had a substantial impact on the hospitality industry from the beginning. The airplane, like the railroad, made transportation over long distances possible.
Resort areas that were once accessible only by boat became accessible to a larger number of tourists. The airplane was without doubt a boon to the tourist industry.
Dr. Tony Monda holds a PhD. in Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a cultural diplomat, practicing visual artist, critic and musician.
He is founding president of ZAAC. Contact him on 0773 805 700 or email on
About Author
