News / Local
ZITF persuaded to construct convention centre in Bulawayo
11 Apr 2013 at 12:06hrs | Views
BULAWAYO - A visiting South African industry consultant has urged the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to construct a convention centre in Bulawayo to earn more revenue for the city and the country.
Zimbabwe has only one convention centre - Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) - while plans to construct another one in Victoria Falls ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly to be co-hosted with Zambia have been shelved owing to funding constraints.
Speaking at a business seminar exploring further growth opportunities for the ZITF exhibition centre in Bulawayo, Dirk Elzinga, Convention Industry Consultants' managing director, said the ZITF Company should spearhead the construction of a convention centre valued at between US$40 million and US$60 million.
He said the centre, which could be named the Zimbabwe International Convention Centre (ZICC), should be designed to accommodate between 800 and 1 200 delegates.
"A serious feasibility study is required but at first glance the establishment of a ZICC is desirable for many reasons," said Elzinga.
"ZICC can be key in putting Zimbabwe and Bulawayo as well as the ZITF on the map."
Elzinga said the centre had the potential for economic spin-offs benefits of between $100 million and $150 million annually, creating 2000-4000 direct and indirect jobs and supporting other sectors of the economy while also complementing existing tourism infrastructure.
"Zimbabwe does not yet benefit from global business tourism due to lack of dedicated venues; more conventions will have a positive effect on leisure tourism and accommodation sector," said the consultant.
He added that new convention centres were either on drawing board or under construction in African countries such as Malawi, Rwanda, Namibia, Kenya and South Africa.
Elzinga said the shortage of hotels in Bulawayo should not be used as a scapegoat against a convention centre in the city, arguing the centre could instead trigger more investment into the city's hotel industry.
He cited new hotel initiatives in Kuala Lumpur, Cape Town, Durban Frankfurt, Maastricht, Hyderabad, Dubai and The Hague triggered by the construction of convention centers.
He said the government should recognise the opportunity and embrace the idea.
"Convention centres worldwide receive serious government support to make them viable," said Elzinga, adding that government could appoint a 'champion' to work with the ZITF Company.
He said the project could be funded through international development support, private sector support, hotel industry players and even potential debt funding.
Zimbabwe has only one convention centre - Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) - while plans to construct another one in Victoria Falls ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly to be co-hosted with Zambia have been shelved owing to funding constraints.
Speaking at a business seminar exploring further growth opportunities for the ZITF exhibition centre in Bulawayo, Dirk Elzinga, Convention Industry Consultants' managing director, said the ZITF Company should spearhead the construction of a convention centre valued at between US$40 million and US$60 million.
He said the centre, which could be named the Zimbabwe International Convention Centre (ZICC), should be designed to accommodate between 800 and 1 200 delegates.
"A serious feasibility study is required but at first glance the establishment of a ZICC is desirable for many reasons," said Elzinga.
"ZICC can be key in putting Zimbabwe and Bulawayo as well as the ZITF on the map."
Elzinga said the centre had the potential for economic spin-offs benefits of between $100 million and $150 million annually, creating 2000-4000 direct and indirect jobs and supporting other sectors of the economy while also complementing existing tourism infrastructure.
He added that new convention centres were either on drawing board or under construction in African countries such as Malawi, Rwanda, Namibia, Kenya and South Africa.
Elzinga said the shortage of hotels in Bulawayo should not be used as a scapegoat against a convention centre in the city, arguing the centre could instead trigger more investment into the city's hotel industry.
He cited new hotel initiatives in Kuala Lumpur, Cape Town, Durban Frankfurt, Maastricht, Hyderabad, Dubai and The Hague triggered by the construction of convention centers.
He said the government should recognise the opportunity and embrace the idea.
"Convention centres worldwide receive serious government support to make them viable," said Elzinga, adding that government could appoint a 'champion' to work with the ZITF Company.
He said the project could be funded through international development support, private sector support, hotel industry players and even potential debt funding.
Source - fingaz
