The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Sunday News Correspondent
THE introduction of the Sikato Lions Park between Great Zimbabwe Monuments and Lake Mutirikwi is a new tourism innovative development set to boost Masvingo’s tourism economy due to increased visitors.
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said this during the official opening of the lions facility last Monday. He said the project comes at the backdrop of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic which is estimated to have reduced tourists arrivals to the country by 60 percent.
“Regardless of this apparent setback the tourism sector needs to devolve to regain and survive Covid-19 effects. The major tourism activity here in Masvingo has been the visit to Great Zimbabwe Monuments which takes approximately three to five hours in the absence of water-based activities in Lake Mutirikwi. There has not been much activity to retain tourism interest thus the need to come up with new innovative programmes such as this development,” he said.
The newly opened lions’ den is home to two lionesses and one male. It was established near the Great Zimbabwe Monuments to enable tourists to enjoy both attractions easily and is expected to serve as an educational facility to local schools.
Last year, Zimparks recorded over 200 visitors in Masvingo but this year, aided by the use of banners and even before the opening of the lions’ park and during Covid 19, the number has doubled to 479.
“With this development Masvingo Province will witness an influx of visitors which will definitely impact positively on the local economy as we have witnessed in areas such as Chinhoyi National Park.”
The Minister said the Government has renewed its focus on domestic tourism which is expected to provide a cushion to the tourism sector as the international markets are projected to fully recover in the second quarter of 2021.
“I call upon the tourism sector to fully take advantage of Government initiatives such as the waiver of value added tax on domestic tourism as well as other initiatives particularly related to duty free importation of capital goods to improve our facility and also help vigorously promote domestic tourism,” he said.
He urged Zimparks to consider restocking the Mutirikwi National Park to support the new development and endeavour to attract more investments. He said that poor road network and an overall decline in tourism standards due to low capacity utilisation are some of the challenges affecting the tourism sector in the province and his ministry is engaging key enabler ministries to address the challenges.
Meanwhile, Minister Ndlovu said his ministry will be launching the finalised concept plans for the Tugwi-Mukosi dam by the end of November with the full master plan expected in April 2021.
“We believe Masvingo Province has the potential to do very well in terms of tourism; in fact, it can be the leading if not the second top earner of the provincial GDP (Gross Domestic Product). By the 30th of November we will be launching the Tourism Master Plan for Tugwi-Mukosi which is an integrated recreational park.
There are huge opportunities of developing the sector within the Tugwi-Mukosi project where we will be having some small wildlife, water activities, and restaurants and fishing industry,” he said.
