Audio By Carbonatix
Zimbabwe plans to build a "Disneyland in Africa" at the world famous Victoria Falls to boost tourism, a government minister has told the BBC.
The government would spend more than $300m (£193m) on the theme park, said Tourist Minister Walter Mzembi.
Zimbabwe is trying to rebuild its tourism industry after a decade of conflict and hyperinflation.
President Robert Mugabe was elected for a seventh term in peaceful but disputed elections last month.
Zimbabwe is not leveraging the Victoria Falls enough, Mr Mzembi told the BBC on Tuesday, describing it as a "sleeping giant".
"It's a wake-up call for us...we must build a new tourism facility with an impact," he said.
"We think it should be modelled along the size and the kind of vision that is on Disneyland, including hotels, entertainment parks, restaurants, conferencing facilities. This is the vision and we need people who can run with it."
'Free zone'
Mr Mzembi earlier told Zimbabwe's official news agency New Ziana that the government wanted to create a free zone with a banking centre "where even people who do not necessarily live in Zimbabwe can open bank accounts" .
He announced the plans at the UN World Tourism Organisation general assembly, which Zimbabwe is co-hosting with Zambia.
The decision to award the conference to Zimbabwe was condemned by UN Watch, an independent human rights group based in Geneva, citing reports of human rights abuses and election rigging.
"The notion that the UN should spin this country as a lovely tourist destination is, frankly, sickening," UN Watch head Hillel Neuer said.
The government already has plans to expand the Victoria Falls airport, saying it will invest about $150m in the project.
In the first quarter of this year, Zimbabwe's tourism authority said the country registered a 17% increase in visitors.
If the country remains stable, it says, tourism is set to contribute 15% to the country's GDP.
Over the past decade, Zimbabwe recorded the world's highest inflation with its economy in virtual collapse. However, a power-sharing deal reached after an acrimonious election in 2008 helped to stabilise the economy.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Russia threatens more Kyiv strikes and tells foreign nationals to leave
14 minutes -
I don’t wish NDC well; they’ve become a menace – Miracles Aboagye on NDC internal tensions
20 minutes -
Oil prices slide on hopes of US-Iran peace deal
28 minutes -
John Mahama receives customized set of golf clubs ahead of 2026 Head of State Invitational Tournament
57 minutes -
‘Recent cedi depreciation within reasonable limits compared to historic rates’ — Prof. Asuming
1 hour -
QNET donates football equipment to S-Inkoom Football Academy
1 hour -
NDC likely to witness fiercest internal contest – Miracles Aboagye
2 hours -
Over 300 actors audition for Big Ghun and Doreen Avio’s ‘Scarlett Unveiled’
2 hours -
MTN introduces 0.75% charges on MoMo-to-bank transfers from June 1
2 hours -
NDC urged to establish clear guidelines to manage growing political ambitions
2 hours -
Tarkwa-Nsuaem teachers declare strike over alleged assault of colleagues by military men
2 hours -
Ghana to ban styrofoam products from January 2027 in major anti-pollution drive
3 hours -
Ghana to host landmark global supply chain summit as EU deforestation deadline looms
3 hours -
Haruna vs Asiedu Nketiah: Tensions could distract gov’t from governance agenda — Dr Osae-Kwapong
3 hours -
NSA releases PIN codes for 18,617 nurses and midwives for 2026/27 national service
3 hours