Government plans to expand Zimbabwe’s tourist attractions into new areas such as Tugwi-Mukosi, Binga, Kanyemba, Osborne Dam and Kariba.
The plan, which is part of the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy (NTRGS) that was launched by President Mnangagwa on August 5, is expected to unlock at least US$2,7 billion by 2025.
Kariba and Binga are popular tourist destinations, and new infrastructure in these areas is expected to boost arrivals.
“With the advent of Covid-19, international tourist arrivals into the country are likely to fall by up to 60 percent in 2020 compared to 2019 and, thus, may see tourist arrivals drop to a mere 920 000 by the end of 2020.
“Informed by this reality, it, therefore, became increasingly important to develop a strategy that addresses this downturn and apply a new perspective to recover the sector by the end of the planning period in 2025,” said Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Mangaliso Ndlovu.
Tugwi-Mukosi plan
According to Zimbabwe’s recently launched NTRGS (2020-2025), Tugwi-Mukosi — the country’s largest inland dam with a capacity of 1,8 billion cubic meters — will be designated as an Integrated Tourism Park.
“Government will expedite tourism development in new areas such as Tugwi-Mukosi to grow the tourism sector. To this end, the gazetting of Tugwi-Mukosi as an Integrated Tourism Park will be expedited,” reads the new tourism policy.
“This will immediately unlock massive potential for investments in fisheries and fish camp resort. Investments into Tugwi-Mukosi Integrated National Park area are estimated to reach US$1,5 billion by 2025, through investments in hotels, boat cruises, exclusive conference facilities and lodges.
“Preliminary assessments show potential of at least 16 sites with massive potential for tourism-related infrastructure, estimated at over US$500 million.
The authorities have intimated plans to gazette Osborne Dam as a recreational park given its “massive potential for fisheries and tourism-related development”.
Binga masterplan
The development of infrastructure in Binga will include an airstrip, beach resort and boutique hotel.
“Government will endeavour to attract new investments in Binga and build on existing facilities and improved accessibility made possible by the opening of a new border post with Zambia.
“To unlock more potential for drive-through tourists into Binga, the Government will expedite the speedy implementation of the Binga-Karoi Road.
“Air access will be improved through rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip.
“Government will work on the restoration of Karava and Sijarira forests to help promote green spaces in the future tourism product of Binga.
“The proposed Beach Resort and a boutique hotel in Binga will be developed to unlock an estimated US$200 million in investments.”
