Don’t overcharge, Govt warns Chipata lodge owners

By JULIUS PHIRI –
GOVERNMENT has advised lodge owners in Chipata District not to inflate the accommodation rates during next week’s Nc’wala Traditional Ceremony of the Ngoni People.
According to information, some lodge owners were planning to cash in by increasing the accommodation rates during the Nc’wala Ceremony.
Others were intending to increase charges from K700 per room to K1,600.

KASOLO

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo said yesterday that lodge owners should assist in marketing the annual ceremony by ensuring that they maintained the current accommodation charges.
Mr Kasolo said the hiking of the accommodation rates by the hospitality industry owners might frustrate tourists and other visitors who were coming to watch the traditional ceremony.
“The hiking of the accommodation rates by lodge owners during the traditional ceremony might kill the Nc’wala because others might not be interested to come back for the same in future,” he said.
Mr Kasolo said he would soon meet the local authority so that they draft something which could stop the hiking of accommodation rates by lodge owners.
He said the successful hosting of the Nc’wala traditional ceremony was paramount in marketing the province.
He said he was hopeful that this year’s Nc’wala ceremony would be successful because of the preparations which have been put up by the organising committee.
Mr Kasolo also advised the road users on the Great East Road to be extra careful during the rainy season in order to avoid road accidents.