Govt, Wilderness Holdings sign MoU

The MoU was signed by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Engineer Walter Mzembi representing the Government and Wilderness Holdings Limited managing director Mr Keith Vincent during the official opening ceremony of the Africa Travel Association 37th World Congress in Victoria Falls on Saturday.

The congress is running under the theme “African Tourism: Partnering for the Future”.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Vice-President Joice Mujuru, ATA executive director Mr Edward Bergman, ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke and delegates attending the event.

The agreement recognises joint development projects for the tourism sector between the Government and Wilderness Holdings Limited.

The MoU also comes at a time when the Government is looking for partnerships for the future for the sector.

The agreement is also in support of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly 2013. According to the MoU, WHL proposed to invest in the refurbishment of camps in Hwange National Park.

“To build a new 32 bed camp at Sinamatela Camp, once this is operating, rebuild existing camps at Linkwasha and Makololo, purchase new vehicles, install solar power at all camps and the level of investment proposed is up to $7,6million,” read part of the MoU.

WHL also proposed to expand existing camps in Mana Pools at a cost of $2 million.

A total of $2,5million has also been earmarked for the development of Wilderness camps Victoria Falls.

Mr Vincent said his company pledged to re-invest into the tourism sector in the next two years.