From : Allafrica.com
7 May 2012
Government has acquired 1 200 hectares of land in Victoria Falls for the construction of a tourism park as the country gears for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly meeting next year. Zimbabwe will co-host the world tourism conference — to be graced by more than 3 000 delegates — with its northern neighbour Zambia.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said last week preparations for the event were proceeding smoothly.
Minister Mzembi said several infrastructural developments were in the pipeline.
“We hope that construction work on the theme park will start in June this year on an initial area of about 80 hectares,” said Minister Mzembi.
“The park will house a state-of-the-art convention centre, casinos and shopping malls, among other structures that are aimed at making sure that the next year’s event is a success.”
The UNWTO General Assembly will help Zimbabwe and Zambia, which share the might Victoria Falls, to showcase their tourism potential to an larger international audience expected to grace the event.
surely it is very unlikely that a project like this will be near completion within 16 months?
And where exacty is the land for this deveopment? It sounds crazy and well out of character with the sensitive develpment of the Victoria Falls within the context of its world heritage listing.
It seems like there are a couple developments taking place in the area as of late, although it would be great to know where exactly this huge expanse of land is situated.