The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Hwange Local Board (HLB), is courting local and international investors to construct an upmarket hotel and a lodge that will go a long way to upscale the town as a tourist destination.
In an interview, HLB public relations officer, Mr Dumisani Nsingo said they had vast land reserved for the construction of various tourism facilities and attractions.
“Over the past few years, we have been marketing Hwange as a tourist destination with mining activities within it. HLB has reserved vast land for construction of campsites, lodges, hotels, conference facilities and restaurants.
“We recently advertised for the sale of a hotel and lodge stand. We expect the buyers of these two stands to construct upmarket facilities. Hwange urban, only has a one-star hotel and a few lodges. There is still a need for the setting-up of upmarket lodges,” he said.
Mr Nsingo said the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) was also calling for investments in water sports, theme parks, cable cars among other tourist related products and as HLB they could provide areas for some of these activities.
He said as Hwange, they have realised that they were not reaping much from the tourism sector despite their huge potential premised on our rich natural and historic heritage.
“Tourism is one of the key economic sectors of the country and the sector’s contribution to economic empowerment, employment creation, foreign currency generation and infrastructure development continues to be significant.
“Our proximity to the country’s biggest wildlife sanctuary, Hwange National Park and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls makes it a favourable location for the setting-up of hospitality infrastructure,” said Mr Nsingo.
He said investors in this sector were assured of big returns due to the ever-high tourist arrivals on different expeditions.
Mr Nsingo said apart from the Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls, Hwange had numerous attractions such as the Kamandama Mine Disaster Memorial site, Bumbusi and Shangano ruins, while visitors could also afford to tour coal-mining activities.
He added: “We have also advertised commercial stands as part of our efforts to lure potential investors to tap into the lucrative retail sector. The huge investment in the coal mining and power generation in Hwange has led to massive employment creation. The growth in employment and wages gives consumers some spending power. Thus, making retailing one of the most lucrative businesses to venture into.”
Mr Nsingo said HLB offers commercial stands for construction of retail shops in all its suburbs, while it also has prime land on offer at its proposed Civic Centre site.
The tourism industry, is one of the country’s major economic sectors contributing at least five percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Zimbabwe’s tourism receipts increased by a remarkable 22 percent last year, to reach US$1,1 billion, while international tourist arrivals stood at 1,6 million, up from one million in 2022, signalling a strong recovery of the sector, following a devastating Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2022, the sector recorded US$911 million in revenues. Since the lifting of travel restrictions and national lockdowns by the World Health Organisation in 2022, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector and that of the globe have been on a major rebound as people visited the country on business and educational missions, as well as leisure activities like safari hunting and sporting.
