The Sunday News
Shepias Dube
BULAWAYO City Council has identified tourism as one of the key areas that needs resuscitation if the city is to boost its revenue collection and ease financial woes, an official has said.
In an interview, BCC economic development officer Mr Brian Hlongwane said tourism was one of the most viable industries in Bulawayo which was worth venturing into.
“Tourism is a viable sector in Bulawayo. Hotels and lodges made money because they were fully booked for the ZITF. The city is strategically positioned because it is surrounded by tourist attractions such as Matopos and Khami Ruins,” he said.
He said in order for tourism to register growth in a manner that is both competitive and effective, there was need to undertake work in critical areas such as the development of a robust and resilient hospitality infrastructure.
Mr Hlongwane said it was against this background that the city council, through its Strategic Business Units, decided to venture into the development of hotels and lodges for tourists and visitors.
He said the councils’ tourism unit — City of Kings Tours and Safaris — was in the process of developing Umguza Nature Park and Mazwi Nature Park which are located less than 15 kilometres from the city.
“The development of Umguza Nature Park and Mazwi Nature Park is set to transform the face of Bulawayo. It is a concept to bring nature to the city which will see small animal population in both parks thriving on conserved flora, and forestry,” he said.
He said besides making Bulawayo a destination of choice for tourists the refurbishment of tourist infrastructure would create employment in a city which has been severely affected by company closures.
Mr Hlongwane said the development of tourism infrastructure was not a preserve of the council alone and encouraged private property developers to seize the opportunity to invest in the sector.
“I want to stress that the development of tourism in the city is not just a preserve of the council alone, private developers are encouraged to play a pivotal role in this endeavour,” said Mr Hlongwane.
He expressed gratitude to private developers who have shown interest in constructing and rehabilitating hotels in the city.
Mr Hlongwane said his department is engaging a local private developer who intends to rehabilitate facilities at the popular Hillside Dams.
The site is located within the affluent Hillside suburb, just six kilometres from the city centre.
He said a Chinese company had also approached the council expressing interest to develop the 436,25 ha Khami Dam Resort Centre.
He said other sites open for private developers interested in promoting local tourism included the George Avenue Hotel site, Montgomery Hotel site, Umguza River Resort Centre among many others.
The coming in of private players is expected to improve the rateable value of the city which means more revenue for the local authority.
