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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Several investors have expressed an interest to invest in high-end tourism facilities and products, including beaches, hotels and marina in the resort town of Kariba.

The investments would form part of the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone covering Hwange, Mulibizi and Kariba as Government intensifies efforts to tap into the tourism sectors.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira said the re-engagement effort being pursued by President Mnangagwa’s Government was bearing fruit as major airlines from Britain, South Africa and Rwanda have approached authorities.

“There are investors who are keen to set up beaches, marina and hotels. That is the level of development we should be pursuing. There are a lot of ideas that are coming out from various interested stakeholders, which we never imagined,” she said.

The minister said re-engagement efforts in Britain, Germany and South Africa were positively received with Zimbabwe being judged the 8th Best Exhibitor Overall and the Best from Africa at an exhibition in Germany.

Tour and airline operators, she said, were ready to help in transporting people to various destinations in the country.

Kariba has been struggling to generate sufficient numbers of passengers to make it viable for airlines to ply the route with some needing at least 12 passengers per day to operate viably.

“We have been to Germany, Britain and South Africa telling people about the new dispensation and how it came about,” she said.

“People are very keen to hear the Zimbabwean story and investing in the country. The November 18, 2017 march, which saw people marching primarily in Harare and various centres across the country to register discontent with former president Robert Mugabe excited those we engaged.”

“Several investment conferences focusing on Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular have been lined up, including one in Cape Town, South Africa carrying Zimbabwe as a theme and showcasing what it has to offer to the world.

“There will be another investment conference in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2018.”

She said those sitting on the fence would only have themselves to blame if they were left out.

“Those who still wait to see how things will turn out will wake up to see the bus gone because as the President is saying Zimbabwe is open for business, we are not sitting idly, but ensuring the country moves forward,” she said.

Tourism players in Kariba have also expressed optimism that positive signs being seen in the new dispensation will continue to see the sector growing.

Tour operators said there had been increased arrivals compared to last year.

The tourism sector has potential to contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) having reached about 10 percent at its peak in 1999.