THE Mashonaland West Investment Conference has ended in Kariba with discussions centering on transforming the resort town into a world-class tourism hub.
A wave of developments that include upgraded lodges, new luxury resorts, and expanded conference venues is redefining the town’s hospitality landscape.
“We are claiming a fair share in the tourism sector as black entrepreneurs. The construction of new conference centres and accommodation facilities will mean increased business in the cruise industry, transport sector, casino, etc. Room occupancy was low because of shortages of conference centres, which generally drive the numbers,” Tourism Stakeholder, Mr Patrick Kuona noted
These hospitality upgrades are being complemented by major activities in the transport sector.
The Airports Company of Zimbabwe has revealed plans to expand Kariba Airport to accommodate international direct flights, while a local bus operator is partnering with local authorities to construct bus termini.
“As the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, we are currently conducting feasibility studies to see if we can expand the airport or relocate it to Charara, where there is space to construct a four-kilometer highway that is required for international plans. Right now, we are averaging about six chartered planes per day, which speaks to the potential of the area. Once that is done, we will then engage the international community for direct flights into Kariba,” Public Relations and Communications Manager, Airports Company of Zimbabwe, Mr Tonderai Mangombe said.
“We are working as a company to revamp and modernise our operations through pre-booking so that we eliminate the problem of touts. We have already partnered with Harare City Council, where we constructed a modern bus terminus where our passengers have access to wifi, clean water, and ablution facilities. We want to establish the same in all the major towns where our buses ply,” CAG Spokesperson, Mr Elijah Tembo added.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo, said the ongoing developments are catalysts for real economic growth.
“These investments happening in the Province will increase tourist traffic, generate employment, and grow the Provincial GDP. Kariba will no longer just be a destination of beauty, it will be a destination of business, of conferences, of international repute. As a government, we remain steadfast in promoting an environment that fosters the ease of doing business while embracing the whole of stakeholders approach, she said.
The two-day investment conference was running under the theme: ‘Unlocking and Strengthening Provincial Potential Sustainably Towards the Realisation of Vision 2030,’ and was attended by government officials, captains of industry, and local authorities.
