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THE Engineering Institute of Zimbabwe and Zambia is working on a state-of-the-art modern plan for a new Victoria Falls City, outgoing Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Engineer Walter Mzembi has said.In his remarks at a prize giving gala dinner held at Victoria Falls Hotel on Friday, Eng Mzembi said government had secured prime land for a new Victoria Falls City in the resort town.
Eng Mzembi said the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development had already transferred 1 200 hectares of prime land from Hwange Rural District Council to Victoria Falls for the city project.
“Government has set aside 1 200 hectares of prime land for the new city. The Engineering Institute of Zimbabwe and Zambia are working on the ultra-modern plan of the proposed city. We want to see or experience the Niagara Falls experience in Victoria Falls,” he said.
Niagara Falls in Canada is a $30 billion economy and records more than 12 million visitors every year and is well known for its great variety of accommodation, star hotels, family style motels, fully equipped campgrounds and vacation rentals.
Eng Mzembi said local companies should embrace the government initiative by investing in the new city.
“I call upon locals to embrace Zanu PF’s empowerment manifesto and take position in this legacy ahead of foreign investors. The locals should lead in investing in such projects,” he said.
Eng Mzembi took the opportunity to commend the work done by the patron of the tourism industry, Vice-President Joice Mujuru, adding that her wise counsel had helped shape a new tourism sector.
He said he was happy to note that the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly was now only a few weeks away.
Meanwhile, Eng Mzembi said all political campaign material in Victoria Falls should be removed and be replaced with information on the general assembly.
“President Mugabe won the 31 July election and we are not going to have a run-off so all the campaign material on trees and buildings should be removed and replaced with UNWTO material,” he said.
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