Music promoter Biggie Chinoperekwei has urged government to consider adult entertainment to boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Chinoperekwei is the owner of Harare’s popular strip-tease joint — Private Lounge — which recently opened another branch in Bulawayo.
The award-winning music promoter last week told The Standard Style that government should play an active role in pushing for adult entertainment given its potential to boost the tourism sector.
“It is high time that people appreciated that there is a new wave in the showbiz circuit,” he said.
“Things are changing and as players in the industry, we have to look at different initiatives. We are trying to deliver the best to our patrons so as to meet their demands.”
According to a World Bank report, the tourism sector accounts for over 10% of the country’s GDP and 20% of export revenues.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The World Economic Forum: The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 also noted that the tourism sector in Zimbabwe operated well below its potential and ranked in bottom quartile of a recent study on tourism.
Chinoperekwei said their aim was to contribute towards the growth of the tourism sector through show business, which could only be achieved if they provided the needs of the patrons.
He said the tourism sector could play a vital role in the long-term development of Zimbabwe.
“For a long time we have ignored the fact that showbiz is potential hospitality business. Several times we tend to only focus on the arrival of tourists in the country, ignoring their potential spending at night, which probably could be of great significance towards our tourism sector,” he said.
“From a series of conversations we had with both the local and international buyers who attended the recently-held Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Travel Expo in Bulawayo, we noted that mature audiences are embracing night entertainment and as a result, we have to act according to our patrons’ request if we are to remain vibrant in the showbiz business.”
The promoter said they were on the drive in terms of being innovative in the industry without support from relevant institutions, claiming if they were not meeting some of the current demands by the entertainment industry, they would not have received their recent endorsement.
“If you look at our adult entertainment joint — Private Lounge — it has already proved that indeed, it can be a major contributor to the tourism sector, as evidenced by it being voted the most outstanding stand by the major players of the tourism sector at the recently-held Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Travel Expo in Bulawayo,” he said.
Since it opened its doors three years ago, Private Lounge has become the joint of choice for those seeking the best in adult entertainment.
Chinoperekwei said there was no need to visit neighbouring countries like South Africa to watch strippers do their things as that type of adult entertainment was now available locally. Although the strip tease business has stirred controversy as some of the women involved have often overstepped the boundaries of decency, as defined by the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act, Private Lounge usually attracts a full house.
Meanwhile, the resort town of Victoria Falls’ nightlife is set for a major boost as Chinoperekwei is eyeing to establish the third adult entertainment branch.
“We have been receiving several calls to go to Victoria Falls and from my assessment, I have observed that the night life at the resort town is sleepy and we can reawaken it by opening such an adult entertainment joint,” he said.
