Sundaymail Editor
Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has entered into a partnership with a private company, Adage of Success, under which the Authority’s 20 self-catering lodges in the Zambezi National Park will undergo a multi-million dollar facelift as the sector positions itself for an anticipated resurgence in tourism activity.
In terms of the agreement signed on April 1, 2017 and with approval from the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate — Adage of Success (Pvt) Ltd will extensively renovate the derelict lodges constructed over three decades ago and lease them for 25 years during which Zimparks will get a share of all revenues.
This is the second phase of the deal between Zimparks and the Zimbabwean registered company, which has already built the first private game lodge in the Zambezi National Park, the Victoria Falls River Lodge. The ultra-luxurious thatched and tented lodge — situated a few kilometres upstream of the falls on the banks of Africa’s fourth biggest river has been a draw-card in the Victoria Falls area, especially after the commissioning of a new international airport in the resort town.
Zimparks said the deal was well structured to ensure that the Authority would benefit financially, while it would also retain ownership of all facilities at the expiry of the lease period. “The self-catering lodges were requiring a major facelift and were performing very poorly in terms of occupancies, averaging 25 percent annually over the past eight years.
Zimparks took into cognisance the fact that Victoria Falls is on the verge of resurgence as a result of the completion of the new international airport that is forecasted to improve tourist arrivals into the town through the coming in of new airlines. “Zimparks is of the view that its self-catering lodges located in Zambezi National Park should remain competitive and hence explored several possible ways of improving infrastructure and other related tourism facilities in the Victoria Falls,” said Zimparks acting spokesperson Mr Simukai Nyasha.
He said Zimparks was mandated through an Act of Parliament to conserve the country’s wildlife heritage for the present and future generations, and huge financial resources were required to achieve this mandate. “Revenue that is generated through leases, tourism activities, regulatory services and other commercial ventures is ploughed back into such day to day wildlife conservation activities which include anti-poaching patrols, fire management, problem animal control, research and monitoring.”
It is believed that arrangement will bring in equity, upgrade tourism infrastructure and facilities to regional and international standards, as Victoria Falls is a strategic location within the KAZA Transfrontier Conservation Area.
The statutory body intends to actively play its part in the development of Victoria Falls as a tourism destination and to contribute positively to the Zimbabwean economy through investment, infrastructure development and enhanced foreign currency generation through tourism. Zimparks was transformed from being a Government department in 2001 to an Authority with an objective of allowing it to retain all revenues generated, thus, becoming a self-financing entity.
However, most wildlife conservation activities are non-commercial yet essential and these include law enforcement, fire management, problem animal control, soil erosion control and environmental education as well as awareness campaigns. “As a result the few commercial activities that Zimparks is engaged in through tourism (consumptive and non-consumptive) have not been able to raise enough funds to support operational expenditures, let alone to cover capital expenditure in the form of operational vehicles, radio communication equipment, patrol equipment.”
Adage of Success has already secured funding to revamp and upgrade all the lodges to an agreed market status and at agreed costs by the two parties.
It will also provide accommodation facilities to tourists visiting the Zambezi National Park and surrounding areas and conduct photographic, walking day and night game viewing safaris, fishing cruises, horse riding and related activities approved by the Director General of Zimparks. The multi-million dollar investment also entails the construction of a restaurant near the lodges and the setting up of a new entrance to parks that will be manned by employees of both the lessee and lessor.
Adage of Success will also build two three-bedroomed lodges to accommodate the lessor’s staff visiting Victoria Falls on business. “Agreement shall endure for a period of 25 years ending 30th March 2042 and will be reviewed every five years within the tenure of lease. The lease fees payable under this agreement are not static.
“They are based on a fixed percentage of revenue with an annual minimum guarantee and therefore, revenue that accrues to Zimparks is based on the company’s performance. With improved tourist arrivals and accommodation occupancies, Zimparks is guaranteed increased revenue from other related activities such as daily conservation and fishing fees,” said the Authority.
Victoria Falls River Lodge manager Mr Jonathan Ellway said there were clear signs that the local tourism industry was rebounding after being affected by the sustained negative international media reportage on Zimbabwe over the past 20 years.
“We are anticipating a significant increase in tourist arrivals as Victoria Falls remains one of the most popular destinations on the continent. Government’s huge investment in the new airport is a far sighted decision based on the expected upturn in tourist activities,” said Mr Ellway.
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