The local hospitality industry’s nearly limitless opportunities for growth potential should be enough to motivate players for collaboration, says Five Star Car Rental CEO Tawanda Marwizi.
Marwizi said it was time that the local hospitality industry creates and supports a culture of collaborations, something that has done wonders in most developing countries.
Tourism is the country’s third largest sector after mining and agriculture and has the potential to play a significant role in the economic, hence the call by industry players to have a collective approach if the sector is to restore its status.
It is against such background that Five Star Car Rental, a car hiring firm that envisages being a giant in the local hospitality sector, has joined forces with a number of players in the hospitality industry to achieve a common goal.
“At the end of the day we want to achieve the same goal, thus the growth of the hospitality industry,” Marwizi said.
“There are limitless opportunities in the industry and we can only achieve them if we collaborate.”
Marwizi said his two-year-old car rental firm has entered into partnerships with a number of players in the industry.
“We have signed about five MoUs [memorandum of understandings], which allows us to share ideas and resources among the players,” he said.
“One of the partnerships, which is already being implemented include the incorporation of bed and breakfast as one of our Diaspora packages.
“We are spreading our tentacles to consider other components of the hospitality industry.”
With a fleet of more than 20 cars including 30-seater mini-busses, light and high terrain vehicles, Five Car Rental has also spread its travel and tour services.
“Apart from individual hire, we now do travel and tours in collaboration with hospitality players offering that service,” Marwizi said.
“For companies that would want to go as far as Zambia or to any Sadc country, we now have that facility.
“We also offer airport transfers and tourist tours.”
Marwizi said he was happy that his company was slowly making inroads in the hospitality industry, thanks to the company’s flexible packages.
He said Five Star Car Rental has another branch in Victoria Falls where they hope to tap into the potential the resort town offers.
“Our Victoria Falls branch is doing well and we are looking forward to open more branches in the country, particularly in Masvingo,” he said.
“The Victoria Falls branch will have safari vehicles.”
Marwizi said non-governmental organisations, individuals and companies have been keeping business going at Five Star Car Hire.
“This is a cut-throat industry, but I am happy that we have managed to create relationships with most of our clients,” he said.
“Our regular clients keep on coming back and new clients are knocking on our doors every day.”
However, Marwizi said like a growing business they were facing some challenges.
“Most of our challenges are around the maintenance of these cars, the prices of spare parts and accessories are high,” he said.
He said he envisages a situation when Five Star Car Hire would be a hospitality industry powerhouse in the Sadc region.
“I see this brand growing, with God permitting I am seeing us spreading across southern Africa and possible across the continent,” Marwizi.
“It’s good to dream, sometimes it motivates you.”