Zim Gov't Budgets $40M for Limpopo Park
GOVERNMENT has set aside Z$10.4 billion (around US$40M) for the completion of various tourism infrastructure projects in the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park for the 2007 fiscal year, an amount players in the sector say falls short of their expectations.
The Park, which is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries on the continent, is expected to boost tourist arrivals in the country and the region.
Analysts say the money, although welcome, still falls short of the project's requirements given the magnitude of work that needs completing.
"The country needs to move into the Gonarezhou Park with speed so that we do not lose out in the race to grab our tourist share from the project. Given that the target is 2010 (when adjacent South Africa expects an influx of tourists as it hosts the Football World Cup) we had thought the Government would advance a huge chunk to the project so as expedite infrastructure development in the area," said one analyst.
Zimbabwe Council of Tourism president Mr Paul Matamisa echoed the same sentiments saying the industry had bargained for more from the fiscus but what they had been offered was far below what was needed to complete different projects.
"The amount though welcome falls short of what we had bargained for and this is likely to severely cripple our plans. In fact, we had requested the Ministry of Finance for the expeditious creation of the Tourism Development Fund that was mooted earlier this year.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing tangible at the moment and what we got are statements of intend but this does not augur well for the sector. Other countries in the project are actually leaving us behind as we for the Government to unlock the funds," he said.
He said the industry had a lot of potential to jumpstart the economy and the country needed to be serious about investing in the sector.
"As the tourism industry we will continue to knock and cry for recognition as time is fast running out," Mr Matamisa.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the money was a clear indication that the country was taking the tourism sector seriously although they could have bargained for more.
"The tourism sector which contributes immensely to the country's foreign currency earnings needs to be prioritised. Enough funds should be set aside to promote the development of the sector," he said.
The money set aside is part of Government initiatives aimed at helping the tourism industry to rehabilitate tourism facilities as well as ensuring sustainable energy supplies in the potential foreign currency-spinning sector.
Presenting the 2007 national budget the Minister of Finance Dr Murerwa said the Z$10.4 billion was meant to develop tourism infrastructure in the Gonarezhou Park.
Last year the Government allotted Z$2 billion (revalued) for the improvement of infrastructure and electrification of some projects in the Gonarezhou Park which forms part of the GLTP.
At the same time the Zimbabwe National Army started the de-mining of the Sengwe Corridor (which connects Gonarezhou to Kruger), while plans are underway to upgrade Buffalo Range Airport in Chiredzi to meet international standards.
The Park, which is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries on the continent, is expected to boost tourist arrivals in the country and the region.
Analysts say the money, although welcome, still falls short of the project's requirements given the magnitude of work that needs completing.
"The country needs to move into the Gonarezhou Park with speed so that we do not lose out in the race to grab our tourist share from the project. Given that the target is 2010 (when adjacent South Africa expects an influx of tourists as it hosts the Football World Cup) we had thought the Government would advance a huge chunk to the project so as expedite infrastructure development in the area," said one analyst.
Zimbabwe Council of Tourism president Mr Paul Matamisa echoed the same sentiments saying the industry had bargained for more from the fiscus but what they had been offered was far below what was needed to complete different projects.
"The amount though welcome falls short of what we had bargained for and this is likely to severely cripple our plans. In fact, we had requested the Ministry of Finance for the expeditious creation of the Tourism Development Fund that was mooted earlier this year.
"Unfortunately, there is nothing tangible at the moment and what we got are statements of intend but this does not augur well for the sector. Other countries in the project are actually leaving us behind as we for the Government to unlock the funds," he said.
He said the industry had a lot of potential to jumpstart the economy and the country needed to be serious about investing in the sector.
"As the tourism industry we will continue to knock and cry for recognition as time is fast running out," Mr Matamisa.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the money was a clear indication that the country was taking the tourism sector seriously although they could have bargained for more.
"The tourism sector which contributes immensely to the country's foreign currency earnings needs to be prioritised. Enough funds should be set aside to promote the development of the sector," he said.
The money set aside is part of Government initiatives aimed at helping the tourism industry to rehabilitate tourism facilities as well as ensuring sustainable energy supplies in the potential foreign currency-spinning sector.
Presenting the 2007 national budget the Minister of Finance Dr Murerwa said the Z$10.4 billion was meant to develop tourism infrastructure in the Gonarezhou Park.
Last year the Government allotted Z$2 billion (revalued) for the improvement of infrastructure and electrification of some projects in the Gonarezhou Park which forms part of the GLTP.
At the same time the Zimbabwe National Army started the de-mining of the Sengwe Corridor (which connects Gonarezhou to Kruger), while plans are underway to upgrade Buffalo Range Airport in Chiredzi to meet international standards.
Labels: great limpopo park, greater limpopo park, national park, transfrontier park, zimbabwe
posted by Kruger2Canyons.com at
Thursday, December 07, 2006
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