Binga RDC maps strategy to boost tourism

Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
THE Binga Rural District Council has said development of tourism in the district can become a success if more efforts are put in place to upgrade and set up major infrastructure which will facilitate easy access to the area.

The local authority’s chief executive officer, Mr Joshua Muzamba, said there was a need to expedite the opening of the Binga Border Post which links into Zambia and upgrading of the Siabuwa-Gokwe road, which links the district to the resort town of Victoria Falls as this could open up avenues to attract tourists to Binga.

“Our strategic tourism plan has what we have termed major drivers and this entails the construction of the Siabuwa-Gokwe road which links the district to Victoria Falls. The road will enable tourists from Harare and Kariba an easy access into the district on their way to Victoria Falls passing through a number of attractions such as

Chizarira National Park, Chete Safaris and Lake Kariba,” said Mr Muzamba.

He said there was also need to facilitate the opening of the Binga Border Post to enable efficient and legal trade and movement between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Construction of the immigration infrastructure in Binga was completed two years ago while that of Siazongwe town across the Zambezi River in Zambia was finished much earlier.

“The border post is one of our expected (tourism plan) drivers. It’s expected to increase the volumes of people into the district. We are also looking towards effectively marketing the district’s tourist attractions at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. We will be doing this in conjunction with a number of community based organisations that will be showcasing various artefacts that are produced and can be found in Binga,” Mr Muzamba said.

Binga district administrator, Mrs Lyvia Ndephi-Banda expressed concern at the delay of the opening of the border post adding that it was stifling the district’s economic growth.

“The construction of the border post was completed way back, on the Zambian side they are ready for it to be officially opened while on our side there seems to be some red tape with regards to the processing of paper work to facilitate its opening.

“The two offices and accommodation to be used by the immigration officers, who will be assisted by other officials from the district, were constructed long back but the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is still to second its personnel,” said Mrs Ndephi-Banda.

Binga Business Association chairman Mr Pilate Dube said although there were an array of tourist attractions in the district there was need for the tourism and hospitality players to review their accommodation rates.

“We have a number of tourist attractions in Binga such as the water springs, fisheries, hunting safaris, sand beaches among others but players in the tourism industry seem to be charging astronomical rates for accommodation despite the fact that we are situated in a remote area. The influx of tourists into the district is not only benefiting players in the tourism sector, there are off spills for other businesses as well, especially the retail sectors,” Mr Dube said.