The lack of point-of-sale facilities in Zimbabwe is limiting tourists' expenditure and has become a challenge in marketing the destination according to international buyers, who point out that tourists prefer to use plastic money rather than carrying cash, which is seen as risky.

Germany-based African Dreamtravel's Harald Braun told Tourism Update that explaining Zimbabwe's money situation to clients was not easy. "Plastic money usage is global and people do not want to move around with cash as it is risky." He added that, as African countries were being sold as one destination it was important for them to have similar standards and pricing.

According to Walter Syakalonga of Sigo Adventures and Tours, traditionally tourists’ daily expenditure averages $100 on activities and other business. He said carrying large amounts of hard cash was considered risky, especially when moving around unfamiliar territories.

"Point-of-sale facilities in Zimbabwe are limited. A number of attractions, such as the national parks, require cash for entry, food outlets require cash and this means visitors cannot spend and are inevitably forced to limit their expenditure."

Syakalonga urged Zimbabwe to increase the availability of point-of-sale facilities so that tourists did not need to carry cash.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, John Mangudya, admitted that the country was lagging behind.

"We are trying to transform our economy from being a cash-based to a cashless economy in tandem with what is happening elsewhere in the world." He added that the country’s shortage of cash was now a thing of the past as evidenced by the disappearance of queues from the banking halls and the availability of cash in the ATMs.

Tourism Update is increasing its coverage of destinations outside South Africa. Do you have news in Zimbabwe and Zambia? Send your news to editor@tourismupdate.co.za.