LAKE #KARIBA – BEITBRIDGE – MUTARE SINGLED OUT FOR NEW AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
(Posted 07th February 2018)
Zimbabwe’s new government has clearly appreciated the importance of tourism to a greater extent, not only vis a vis improved protection of the country’s wildlife but also with an eye on adding crucially needed aviation infrastructure in key areas around the country.
Following the launch of the new Victoria Falls International Airport, and the success it is showing with new airlines flying to Zimbabwe’s best known attraction, have other areas of the country too been looked at with the aim to improve existing airports.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joram Gumbo last week visited Lake Kariba where the local council has set aside land for the construction of a new airport as the present facility and in particular the runway, due to its geographical location, cannot be extended. Similar plans are reportedly underway for Beitbridge and Mutare, the latter in particular singled out by the country’s tourism industry in need of upgrading. An initial budget for such work countrywide of about 250 million US Dollars has been mentioned over past weeks and with the upswing of arrivals of tourists to the country it is hoped that taxes and fees generated by the emerging boom help pay for construction.
