Second Republic developments reawaken tourism in Binga

Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter

IMPROVEMENTS made in the area of infrastructure by the Second Republic in Binga, Matabeleland North Province have seen the district slowly claiming its place among the country’s tourism giants with its communities deriving several benefits.

A tourism operator in Binga, Mr Zilongezyo Muzamba said courtesy of the infrastructure development that the Government had embarked on, Binga’s potential as a prime tourist destination was slowly manifesting.

He said although more needed to be done in improving the road network linking various places in the district such developments as the airstrip that the Government gifted Binga with were welcome.
“The completion of the airstrip refurbishment project has ignited a tourism boom in Binga. It is all thanks to the Second Republic who made it all possible as the airstrip can accommodate up to four planes per day,” he said.

He said there has been a significant change in terms of the number of clients coming in since the rehabilitation of the airstrip.

“Before the renovations of the airstrip, we used to get little or no clients at all, but now things have changed. We are now getting clients. They are not many but we are sure that if we continue developing and improving things in the district, we will attract more and that will bring Binga’s tourism status to a better level.”

Mr Muzamba said more developments in the area of infrastructure have the potential to turn the district into a prime holiday destination that attracts journey-makers from all over the globe.

“Binga still has unused resources whose exploitation has the potential to resuscitate the country’s leisure sector and drive the economy if efforts are made to tap into existing opportunities,” he said.
He said the district was endowed with tourist attractions that include a sand beach which was the only one in Zimbabwe, Zambezi River which had abundant water that created a large opportunity for fishing, boat cruising and aquatic animal viewing.

“It also boasts of the second largest hot spring in the country and the crocodile farm along the Zambezi River where they keep crocodiles for tourist purposes,” said Mr Muzamba.

He said in years past, Binga used to compete with Victoria Falls in terms of tourist arrivals as visitors from across the globe enjoyed a wide range of activities including boat cruises, boating, fishing, sightseeing, hunting, photography and a rich local culture.

Mr Muzamba said there was a need for stakeholders in Binga and in the greater tourism industry to work together with the Government to improve and develop its infrastructure as well as market what it offers.

“Tourism in Binga is not really where it should be. There is a need to develop infrastructure in the area of roads so that Binga tourist attraction places are easily accessible.

“There is a need to resurface the Kamativi-Binga Road because the poor road network in the area is part of the reason why other people resist visiting as they do not want to damage their cars,” he said.
Mr Muzamba also emphasised that there is a need for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and other stakeholders to continue marketing Binga so that it can be recognised by tourists, both local and foreign.

“We now live in a digital world, if the ZTA and other organisations that deal with tourism-related issues can advertise and market Binga, I am sure that there will be a great turnout of tourists in the district. Binga is very beautiful and if people can see its beauty, I do not doubt that we will accommodate thousands of tourists,” he said.