adminIn an interview, she said even locals should benefit from jobs to be created by the expected construction projects to be undertaken ahead of the general assembly.
Government and the private sector are expected to invest in massive infrastructure development to ensure that the country hosts a successful general assembly.
Mrs Gunda said upcoming companies with appropriate facilities must be given some of the contracts during the UNWTO.
“The piece of cake must be shared with every player. If they look at those with the best facilities, then some will not benefit,” she said.
Mrs Gunda said there were already fears that people who invested in Japanese made cars expecting a windfall from the hire of their cars might be left out because Government did no want certain type of vehicle models.
“They are saying they don’t want Noahs (a vehicle type) but most people here have Noahs. They will lose out,” she said.
She said most of the affected people do not qualify for bank loans to acquire new fleets.
Mrs Gunda said her company, Tatenda Safaris, needed about $1 million to prepare for the general assembly.
She said the company wanted to acquire new top of the range Mercedes Benz and Prado cars, two luxury coaches, a 20-seater boat and another one with a capacity of 100 passengers.
She said there was a need for institutions providing funding for the projects to release the money soon.
“This thing is next year, less than one-and-a-half years and if we don’t get money on time, we won’t be able to do what we want,” she said.
Mrs Gunda said officials from the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe were in Victoria Falls last week assessing the requirements of players in the industry.
The Government has said it has secured $200 million for projects to spruce up Victoria Falls ahead of the general assembly which is being co-hosted with Livingstone across the border.
Projects earmarked for the resort include construction of a convention centre capable of sitting 3 000 people, rehabilitation of Victoria Falls
Airport and upgrading of road infrastructure.
Mrs Gunda said if the convention centre was not completed on time, there was an alternative plan to sit delegates in huge tents.
The UNWTO general assembly will be held from 24 to 29 August.
Online Reporter