THE resumption of Emirates airline passenger flights coupled with the relaxation of Covid-19 travel protocols has raised optimism among tourism players of a quick rebound of the industry.

Last week, Emirates said it would fly passengers out of Zimbabwe for the first time in two months, after halting flights over concerns about the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

Low-cost airline, Fastjet, is also introducing flights between Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Botswana scheduled to operate four times a week.
Hospitality Association Zimbabwe (HAZ) president, Farai Chimba, said the lifting of the entry and transit ban was positive news for the sector, adding that the hospitality operators’ survival hinges on access to destinations.

“The resumption of airlines gives access to key markets in Europe and the rest of the world, while additional regional routes mean we are better positioned to package and receive more visitors. Unlocking regional and intra-A