Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone concept under scrutiny

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

VARIOUS stakeholders from Government and private sector are meeting in Victoria Falls to interrogate the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone (SEZ) feasibility study as efforts to operationalise the tourism corridor intensify.

Last year Government started crafting a blueprint to guide operationalization of the greater Victoria Falls SEZ and Cabinet approved the Integrated Development Programme/Conceptual Development Framework for the Victoria Falls-Hwange-Binga SEZ whose idea is to integrate economic activities, catapult growth and improve livelihoods in the province.

The SEZ will help create a tourism corridor stretching from Kazungula west of Victoria Falls, to Hwange, Binga, Sijalila and Kariba, including areas around Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Hwange.

Government wants to make Victoria Falls its tourism capital and the Second Republic has deliberately focused its priorities to the resort city and developments especially in the tourism sector, including plans to come up with Masue and Batoka cities are testimony to that.

Government established and appointed Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company to spearhead tourism infrastructure development in the SEZ, including Masue City, about 10km outside the existing city centre and the company has been conducting a feasibility study with assistance of Old Mutual.

Mosi-oa-Tunya company is under the Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry, which organized the SEZ feasibility study validation workshop.

In her keynote address, Tourism Minister deputy Minister Barbara Rwodzi said the SEZ is one of the key projects that President Mnangagwa has given priority as it will also unlock potential of tourism towards Vision 2030.

“Government envisions the Victoria Falls SEZ to become a competitive tourism destination and as Ministry we have now to move to mortar and brick stage in 2022,” she said.

Source: Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone concept under scrutiny (13/12/21)

Glow Petroleum Opens A US$1,5m New Fuel Station In Vic Falls

 VICTORIA FALLS: One of the country’s leading fuel dealers, Glow Petroleum has opened a new fuel station in this resort city after investing US$1,5 million into the project.

This becomes Glow Petroleum’s 42nd  branch in Zimbabwe.

  

Glow owner Aaron Chinhara partnered with Victoria Falls businessman Ozias Marange on the project, which will also see a mall being built to the tune of more than US$3 million.

While the opening of a fuel station might seem to be an ordinary development, the new facility exudes unparalleled quality.

It started with a competitive price of US$1.30 for a litre of petrol, US$0.7 cheaper than other dealers in city.

Just across the road from the site of the garage, are two fuel black market spots that have been booming for more than a year.

However, Chinhara said Victoria Falls will never run short of fuel again.

”We decided to come to this side of the country to join hands with those in the southern region and give each other energy in this business,” Chinhara said.

“This is the first phase and US$1,5 million was put. When the whole project is complete, it will be plus US$3 million and we want to put a one-stop- modern mall here for the people of Mkhosana and Chinotimba suburbs.”

He said as a company, Glow Petroleum valued quality.

Chinhara added the company would construct more fuel stations across the country.

“Glow petroleum is a 100% black-owned company and we have done numerous projects, and today (Wednesday), we have opened branch number 42 as part of our expansion policy.

“We always want to make sure that when we build the next garage, we always try to do better and make sure it is better than our previous one.

“We want to make our communities and country beautiful by creating beautiful facilities. If on any day Victoria Falls had no fuel, that time is over.”

Marange, who also runs a haulage trucking and hardware business, concurred, adding the joint venture would ensure the Victoria Falls community, especially the tourism industry does not run out of fuel.

“We want to make sure every business operates without the challenges of fuel. This will help the local industry as there will be no shortage of fuel,” Marange said.

The fuel station will operate 24 hours and it opened to motorists Wednesday.

Source: Glow Petroleum Opens A US$1,5m New Fuel Station In Vic Falls (11/11/21)

 DANIEL JONES in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

VICTORIA FALLS, (CAJ News) – ZIMBABWE is to add another five star hotel to its catalogue as part of US$3 million investment to create a one-stop shopping mall in Victoria Falls.

Entrepreneur Aaron Chinhara, through his House of Chinhara establishment, is planning the facility for the tourism capital city, Victoria Falls.

Construction is set to start in 2022.

Chinhara has made a name for himself in the fuel industry.

The facility is to change the face of Victoria Falls, according to the proprietors, Glow Petroleum.

House of Chinhara is Glow’s sister company.

“As an operator we want to make the country beautiful by creating beautiful things,” Chinhara said.

“Through our House of Chinhara, a tourism entity that we have created, two projects will start next year in Victoria Falls. I want to think these projects are going to change the face of Victoria Falls because its huge investments.”

He said the Victoria Falls community must “keep its eyes open for another spectacular or two projects, which are on spectacular standards.”

“They are coming to Victoria Falls in 2022 up to 2023. Surely we are not going to build hotels that are already in Victoria Falls, we must build hotels that are not here,” said Chinhara.

Victoria Falls is Zimbabwe’s tourism capital and the gateway into the country.

However, shortage of hotel rooms has been a cause for concern.

The city has a deficit of more than 2 500 rooms, according to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).

There are also qualms about some of the facilities which do not meet world standards.

Government plans to make Victoria Falls its conference capital and is courting investors to build a convention centre with state-of-the-art facilities comprising five-star hotels, medical facilities, a theme park and motor race course.

The Victoria Falls City Council is also luring investors to build a US$250 million Civic Centre which it says will be in the model of the iconic Mandela Square in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This will include council offices, a hall for meetings and functions, a 5-star hotel, a shopping mall with restaurants and a theme park or city square.

Jacob Mudenda, the Speaker of Parliament, recently implored the government to speed up implementation of the Victoria Falls Integrated Master Plan so as to lure investors into the tourism destination.

Before the debilitating outbreak of the COVID-19, contribution of travel and tourism to Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product (GDP) was 6,5 percent.

Source: Latest 5-star hotel to change face of Vic Falls (16/11/21)

See Also

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (March 2019) $500m investment for Victoria Falls... International hotel chain to set up exclusive leisure centre.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (February 2021) Zambezi River Scenes Which Inspired Livingstone Under Threat.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (November 2021) Latest 5-star hotel to change face of Vic Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (December 2021) Glow Petroleum opens US$1,5m facility in Vic Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (May 2022) Prevalence of wild animals worries Vic Falls residents.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (20th October 2022) IHG Hotels & Resorts signs first Vignette Collection hotel in Zimbabwe, Africa.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (18th November 2022) Six Senses Stilted Eco-Lodges on the Zambezi.

 

Vic Falls hive of activity with three new hotels

 DANIEL JONES in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

VICTORIA FALLS, (CAJ News) – BOUYED by the official opening of a hotel, lodge and guesthouse in Victoria Falls at the peak of the COVID-19, President Emmerson Mnangagwa believes Zimbabwe is on course to meet its target of a US$5 billion tourism industry by 2025.

The tourism capital city has been a hive of activity in recent days as Mnangagwa presided over the launch of the Palm River Hotel, Nkosi Guest Lodge and Zambezi Boutique respectively.

The facilities were built during the grueling lockdown that has been in place since April 2021, much to the detriment of tourism.

“These new investments by the tourism sector demonstrate confidence in the country’s future and will go a long way in accelerating recovery of the sector,” Mnangagwa said.

“The target of a $5 billion tourism industry by 2025 is achievable as evidenced by the tourism investments. These will provide a competitive market driven and diversified product range,” he said.

The president commended the tourism sector for its continued focus towards the realization of the outcomes outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025).

It is part of a strategy to attain Upper Middle-Income Society status by 2030.

Mnangagwa officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for The Palm River Hotel in July 2020, marking commencement of construction and the hotel that opened its doors on December 1- fully booked.

There were 31 rooms on offer, with the rest in the 73-room facility to take bookings for 2022.

Palm River Lodge, Victoria Falls

The Zambezi Boutique, with its high-end luxury suites was constructed under 12 months beginning in November 2020, at a cost of $900 000.

Nkosi Guest Lodge is a $48-million hotel.

Mnangagwa encouraged investors in Victoria Falls to adopt renewable energy and turn the city into a leading green tourism destination.

He also urged players in the tourism sector to develop new products and attract more investments leveraging on the opening up of new resorts in areas around Gwayi-Shangani Dam, Tugwi-Mukosi Dam and the emerging Binga, Bumi Hills and Kanyemba tourism corridor among others.

“We are determined to make sure that our country is an investment destination where capital feels safe,” Mnangagwa assured.

Source: Vic Falls hive of activity with three new hotels (10/12/21)

Boost for domestic tourism

 The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has partnered private players in an effort to promote domestic tourism and ensure locals enjoy previously unaffordable activities.

Zimparks has partnered a helicopter company MJ Air, luxury coach company City Link Coaches and Rainbow Tourism Group to offer an all-year round package to Victoria Falls for locals.

The package is inclusive of transport, accommodation and tours in the tourist city.

Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the partnership saying it was part of promoting domestic tourism.

“We hope people will embrace this noble initiative meant to boost our domestic tourism. In order to achieve a US$5 billion tourism economy by 2025, the tourism sector plays a critical role,” he said.

“We want people to enjoy domestic tourism with less headaches, everything being well taken care of. Worries of travel and accommodation should be allayed. Our mantra is: Visit Zimbabwe, to build Zimbabwe”.

Mr Farawo said it was critical for domestic tourism to be supported particularly during this Covid-19 era, where global travel has been restricted to minimise the spread of the pandemic.

“We want to ease pressure on job losses in the Covid-19 era. We want money to cater for the animals. Through support of domestic tourism, Vision 2030, as espoused by President Mnangagwa will be attainable,” he said.

MJ Air administration officer, Ms Nobuhle Gwemende, said with the package on offer, they hope to play their part in ensuring that no local was left behind in visiting the Victoria Falls.

Ms Gwemende said in Victoria Falls, they are providing activities at affordable rates and all in an effort to demystify the notion that it is an expensive destination.

“We are going to be running this package for the entire year. We call upon corporates, church groups, schools and clubs to take advantage of this holiday of a lifetime package,” she said.

They also have a credit facility with ZB Bank to enable locals to enjoy their holidays now and then pay later in instalments.

Source: Boost for domestic tourism (09/12/2021)

Zimparks ropes in private players to boost domestic tourism

Blessings Chidakwa, Herald Reporter

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has partnered with private players in an effort to promote domestic tourism and also to ensure that locals enjoy previously unaffordable activities.

Zimparks has partnered with a helicopter company MJ Air, luxury coach company City Link Coaches and Rainbow Tourism Group to offer an all-year-round package to Victoria Falls for locals.

The packages is inclusive of transport, accommodation and tours in the tourist city. Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the partnership saying this was part of promoting domestic tourism.

“We hope people will embrace this noble initiative meant to boost our domestic tourism. In order to achieve a $5 billion tourism economy by 2025, the tourism sector plays a critical role.

Mr Farawo also said in this Covid-19 era it is imperative that domestic tourism be boosted.

“We want to ease pressure on job losses in the Covid-19 era. We want money to cater for the animals.

“Through the support of domestic tourism, Vision 2030, as espoused by President Mnangagwa will be attainable,” he said.

Ms Gwemende said in Victoria Falls, they are providing activities at affordable rates and all in an effort to demystify the notion that it is an expensive destination.

“We are going to be running this package for the entire year. We call upon corporates, church groups, schools and clubs to take advantage of this holiday of a lifetime package,” she said.

She said they also have a credit facility with ZB bank to enable locals to enjoy their holidays now and then pay later in installments.

“All this is our quest to afford every Zimbabwean the chance to holiday,” she said.

Source: Zimparks ropes in private players to boost domestic tourism (07/12/21)

 

UK teenager attacked by crocodile on gap-year trip in Zambia

 

Amelie Osborn-Smith was white water rafting in the Zambezi below Victoria Falls at time of incident.

A British teenager has been reportedly attacked by a crocodile while travelling with friends on a gap-year holiday in southern Africa.

Amelie Osborn-Smith, from Andover, Hampshire, was white water rafting in the Zambezi below Victoria Falls in Zambia when the reptile pounced at her, MailOnline reports.

The 18-year-old’s father said his daughter had been resting her leg over the side of the boat when the crocodile bit her and dragged her under the water.

Osborn-Smith, who was backpacking after finishing her A-levels at school in Winchester, was reportedly saved by a friend who punched the crocodile on the nose until it released her. She has been airlifted to hospital in the capital, Lusaka, about 240 miles (380km) away, where she is being treated for serious injuries to her leg.

Her father, Brent Osborn-Smith, told reporters: “She wasn’t actually swimming but just sitting on the boat and the crocodile saw her leg dangling in the water and thought: ‘There’s lunch.’

“She’s in a pretty bad state at the moment in Zambia and we’re doing our best to try and get her back to have some proper definitive care here, but obviously with a crocodile bite there’s a huge risk of infection and she’s got a very severely damaged leg. It’s quite a distressing situation.

“She’s been stabilised as best they can but it’s still pretty touch and go.”

He said Zambia was on the Covid red list, presenting further challenges in getting his daughter home.

An unnamed friend of Osborn-Smith’s told reporters: “As soon as it happened the male friend dived under the water and started punching the crocodile furiously. Then others jumped in to help. It was chaos. There was blood and people thrashing everywhere. She is lucky to be alive.”

Osborn-Smith was reportedly white water rafting with Bundu Rafting, based in Livingstone in Zambia. The company has been operating in the Victoria Falls area since 1996.

Its website says: “Be assured that we don’t compromise on safety issues on the river. Our trip leaders are the most experienced guides around: some with 20 years rafting on the mighty Zambezi.”

Another rafting company that operates in the area says on its website that the “Nile crocodile is endemic to the Zambezi River” but adds “they are not a problem”.

An adult male is usually between 2.94 metres and 4.4 metres in length and weighs between about 225kg and 414kg, although crocodiles exceeding 6.1 metres in length have been recorded.

In 2018, a woman canoeing above Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with her fiance had her arm bitten off by a giant crocodile.

Zanele Ndlovu and Jamie Fox, from south-east England, were out in an inflatable raft when the reptile attacked and punctured the vessel.

Ndlovu fell into the water and her right arm was bitten off above the elbow, just days before her wedding.

She was taken to hospital where medics saved her life, and she was married in the hospital chapel the following month.

Source: UK teenager reportedly attacked by crocodile on gap-year trip in Zambia (02/12/21)

 

President launches Victoria Falls Stock Exchange

 President Mnangagwa on Thursday officially launched the United States dollar-denominated Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), which is a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE).

He also oversaw the listing of gold mining firm, Caledonia Mining Corporation, on the VFEX.

President Mnangagwa said the VFEX will drive domestic and international investments into the country.

“The Victoria Falls Stock Exchange is expected to drive domestic and international investments, which are a key requirement for the attainment of our vision of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.

Currently, the VFEX is 100 percent owned by the ZSE, and in the long run, there are plans to bring a technical partner in the form of an international exchange or international fund manager.

Companies listing on the VFEX will be able to raise capital in hard currency.

The US dollar exchange has three listings since it was established last year.

Said Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube:

“Such milestones are indeed commendable and this shows the response to the incentives that the Government has put in place to support capital markets.

“The recently introduced incremental export retention scheme has been instrumental in getting the likes of Padenga and Caledonia to consider listing on the VFEX.

“These are win-win scenarios where the Government provides incentives that also result in increased production and foreign currency earnings for the country.”

Source: President launches Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (02/12/21)