. . . Hotels, Medical Tourism and Golf Estate for Victoria Falls
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
VICTORIA FALLS — A massive transformation of Victoria Falls’ tourism landscape is underway, with the government announcing a US$66.9 million public-private partnership to develop the 271-hectare Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) into a multi-faceted hospitality, commercial and medical hub.
The announcement was made as the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, officially commissioned the new offices of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company (Private) Limited (MOTDC) in Victoria Falls.
Minister Rwodzi said the development, under a partnership with Victoria Seven Investments, would diversify the resort city’s offering beyond its iconic waterfall.
“The Masuwe Special Economic Zone is set to diversify Victoria Falls’ Tourism offering through Hotels, Lodges, Villas, Holiday homes, a Golf estate, Commercial and Financial precincts, Medical Tourism hospitals and a Gastronomy and Culinary Arts school in partnership with UN Tourism,” she said.
Infrastructure first
Before the hotels and hospitals rise, the partnership will focus on the essential infrastructure required to support the 271-hectare zone.
The project will provide water, sewer, electricity, and telecommunications infrastructure, opening the land for vertical development.
The expansive scope of the Masuwe SEZ represents a deliberate shift in strategy for Victoria Falls, moving the destination from a pure nature-based tourism economy to a comprehensive lifestyle and services hub.
New frontiers: Medical and Culinary Tourism
Perhaps the most significant elements of the new SEZ are the planned Medical Tourism hospitals and the Gastronomy and Culinary Arts school, established in partnership with UN Tourism.
These components signal a push to attract high-value travelers who might otherwise bypass Zimbabwe for medical procedures or culinary experiences in other African destinations.
The medical facilities, combined with the planned commercial and financial precincts, are expected to turn Victoria Falls into a year-round destination, less dependent on the seasonal fluctuations of traditional leisure travel.
A sports boost
The transformation of Victoria Falls is being supported by parallel developments, including the Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Oval, developed by Zimbabwe Cricket, which is nearing completion.
The cricket oval is expected to open further opportunities for sports tourism and investment, broadening tourist experiences, attracting further investment, creating employment, and expanding opportunities for local businesses.
Vision 2030
Minister Rwodzi noted that the initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), positioning sustainable tourism investment as a driver of infrastructure development and economic growth.
With the infrastructure groundwork set to commence, the Masuwe SEZ promises to reshape the economic landscape of Zimbabwe’s premier tourist destination for decades to come.
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