via $460m Disneyland Vic Falls investor found 03 January 2015
TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi says government is in negotiations for a $460 million facility for the development of a ‘Disneyland in Africa’.
The project involves the establishment of a tourism and conference theme park in the resort town of Victoria Falls seen as crucial to boosting tourism. It would be built on 300 hectares of land near the airport and have shopping malls, banks and exhibition and entertainment facilities such as casinos.
“There is a lot of international interest and (an investor in the) United States is willing to pour $460 million for the project but we have to develop a template on a win-win situation,” Mzembi told journalists in Victoria Falls recently.
“Most international countries are saying ‘give us land and we will develop it’.”
The theme park would also boost the resort town’s capacity to host major conferences and events to rival South Africa’s Cape Town and Durban, he said.
“My vision is to zone the 300ha where we can have an Egyptian city or Russian city within the park,” said Mzembi.
In 2013, the government started refurbishing the Victoria Falls International Airport at a cost of $150 million to increase its passenger handling capacity which is expected to be commissioned later this year.
The expansion work, which is being carried out by China Jiangsu and funded by China Exim Bank, also includes upgrading the domestic terminal building, constructing a new fire station, control tower and installation of state –of–the art aviation equipment.
COMMENTS
That money would be better spent on hospitals, education, paying off debts etc etc. who needs frigging Disneyworld at one of the seven wonders of the world?
In 1965 after UDI Zambia introduced visas for all tourists wishing to enter Zambia from Victoria Falls. Not wanting to loose tourist income they delivered vast quantities of application forms to the Victoria Falls based touring companies. The visa applications would be processed overnight for the next day’s tours. At our Border Post we passed the hours on night shift completing applications for Micky Mouse, Minnie, Harold Wilson, Goofy, Snow White and many other cartoon characters – all were granted. It now looks like “When you wish upon a star, your dream comes true” – roll on Disneyland!
Africa will always be a destination famous for wild life, scenery, sculptures and it’s diverse culture. There is a natural attraction that draws people to Africa.Of late because of the instability in some of the areas surrounding famous destinations the level of tourism has dropped.Any sensible Government would embark on an amusement park to accommodate their own people. What idiot would come to Disney land Victoria Falls when you have world class amusement parks in Paris and all around Europe.The United states have their share. Even the Chinese have Shanghai Disneyland.There are many other parks with different names world wide. People visit the
Victoria fall to see one of the wonders of the world and to see the wonderful game the place has to offer. Even then with the power cuts that dog Zimbabwe it would be stupid to embark on such a project. Stupid people with stupid ideas.
Stuff the Disney land of Africa, give us our compensation for our farms you toss. Harper you live in a dream land
Disneyland….WTF, has he lost his mind?
After two years teaching English in Chikurubi, I should have realised that sarcasm would be lost on some readers. But yes, I do live in a dreamland – it’s called the diaspora. But I still yearn for home and a good life at home for all Zimbabweans.
Just shows that these thieving scumbags eat sleep and live the western way and when face to face with the ordinary people they pretend that they live just like the ordinary people we all know who will be Mickey and Minne Mouse!
“My vision is to zone the 300ha where we can have an Egyptian city or Russian city within the park,” said Mzembi.”-OMG
Bravo have an Egyptian City or a Russian City!!!Be the investors are the Chinese OMG!! Have the conservationists been consulted including the locals or bet the Minister is a one man band making decisions for everyone – bet you 100% he has got some money put in his private account from the investors
Very backward.why would tourists come to visit disneyland.they have disneys ,they come here to see nature and we go there for disney,fair exchange.im begning to question the pres wisdom in selecting such a minister.pliz excellency giv his job to me.he is bereft of thought.kkkkkkk banking malls
This is a great investment. Vic Falls is an important asset which is currently underutilized. Disney World and the ambitious projects earmarked will definitely up the profile of the town and Zimbabwe as a whole.
Conferences bring big spenders and that’s good for Zimbabwe.