Tourism investment in Victoria Falls is set to accelerate following the commissioning of new offices for the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company (MOTDC).
The offices were officially commissioned by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, yesterday, marking progress on a development vision conceived in 2012 to unlock Victoria Falls’ tourism potential.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Rwodzi expressed gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for enabling the company to establish its first offices since its inception, highlighting the progress made over the past two years, including a partnership with the J.R. Goddard Consortium.
“Today marks an important milestone in our efforts to accelerate tourism investment and infrastructure development in Victoria Falls. The establishment of these offices gives the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company a base from which to advance its mandate and support the development of the city’s tourism potential,” she said.
Rwodzi said the planned developments would broaden the city’s tourism products while creating opportunities for investment, employment and business growth.
“The Masuwe Special Economic Zone presents an opportunity to diversify our tourism offering beyond the traditional attractions. With hotels, lodges, villas, holiday homes, a golf estate, commercial and financial precincts, and medical tourism facilities, Victoria Falls can cater for a wider range of visitors and investors,” she said.
Works are expected to commence at the 271-hectare Masuwe Special Economic Zone under a US$66.9 million public-private partnership with Victoria Seven Investments. The project will provide essential water, sewer, electricity and telecommunications infrastructure to support future developments.
“We are working towards a tourism sector that creates employment, attracts investment and opens opportunities for businesses and communities. These developments are important in supporting the national vision of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” she said.
The Masuwe project also envisages a Gastronomy and Culinary Arts school in partnership with UN Tourism, alongside hospitality and commercial facilities.
Meanwhile, the Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Oval, being developed by Zimbabwe Cricket and nearing completion, is expected to strengthen the city’s prospects for sports tourism and related investment.
The projects form part of efforts to position Victoria Falls as a diversified tourism and investment destination, in line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2.
