GAMING FOR AFRICA
Zimbabwe Looks to Revive Tourism Interest in Ailing Lake Kariba after Decades of Neglect
Once a thriving tourist hotspot for international and regional tourists who thronged to the picturesque lake to view game, fi sh, holiday on luxurious houseboats and visit the casino resort, Lake Kariba has fallen into neglect and disrepair. A victim of years of government corruption,
ineptitude and hostility to investors and foreign visitors, Zimbabwe’s once-thriving tourism industry relies mainly on regional travellers and a dwindling number of international tourists determined to rough it out in order to experience the wildlife and natural splendour that the country has to offer. Failing infrastructural and development
investment across the country have resulted in deteriorating and virtually impassable roads to the region, along with an economy plagued by infl ation, power failures and corruption have seen region become a sad image of its former glory. The dwindling numbers of visitors to this
picturesque corner of Zimbabwe has resulted in the Lake’s premier casino at Caribbea Bay Resort closing down a number of years ago, with only the hotel and some amenities being operational. Now, fi nally realising the tourism jewel that it has
squandered while pillaging the economy and scaring off investment while single-handedly destroying Zimababwe’s economy, the Zimababwean government is looking to revive interest in the region, starting with planned upgrades of the roads leading to Lake Kariba, along with plans to increase access to the region via air travel. The pot-holed narrow Kariba to Harare highway and
an absence of an international airport have been identifi ed as areas that need rehabilitation and urgent construction to improve tourism in the resort town, said Tourism Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu at a recent launch of the Kariba Regional Tourism Development and Marketing Strategy in the tourist destination. Mangaliso, who was guest of honour at the event,
said the poor road network was a major setback which he will be working to address. “Kariba is such a powerful tourism magnet that
deserves an international airport with the capacity to handle direct international fl ights,” said Ndlovu. Air Zimbabwe is also planning to introduce
fl ights to Kariba according to Ndlovu. “The good news is that both Air Zimbabwe and FastJet have plans to service Kariba. We will also continue advocating for more airlines to fl y into the destination. l am confi dent this marks a giant step towards the revival and growth of tourism in Kariba and Mashonaland West Province at large.”
Let us hope that the South African
government, following closely the example of overseeing the decay of a country’s natural and tourism resources as it plunders the country’s economy, will see the warning signs for a sector that drives international tourism spend and is a large revenue earner. The potholes, power outages and other failing infrastructure are already here for South Africa… let us hope that the tourism industry does not fail along with it.
2023 National Gambling Board Conference Slated for Wild Coast Sun in mid-March
The Eastern Cape Gambling Board (ECGB) and the National Gambling Board (NGB) will be co-hosting the 2023 National Gambling Conference from 15 – 16 March 2023 at Wild Coast Sun, Mbizana Eastern Cape. At this important industry event, regulators, industry stakeholders and
operators will deliberate on “A Roadmap for Gambling Industry Regulation in a post- Covid-19 World.” Contact details for enquiries: lkamineth@
ngb.org.za or
kmakopo@ngb.org.za
MARCH 2023 23
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