The government has said it is aiming to complete the rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip a development that is premised on attracting more local and foreign tourists to the remote wildlife and nature-rich part of Matabeleland North Province.
The rehabilitation was started last year by the Government as part of efforts to improve accessibility so that tourism hotspots in remote areas.
Binga is regarded as a prime destination sitting on potentially lucrative untapped tourism opportunities and it is believed that the rehabilitation of the Airstrip will work in making it “discoverable.”
It has such attractions as the hot springs, wildlife and some economic activities including fishing, boating, crocodile farming, and cultural activities, among others.
The rehabilitation of the airstrip is done by the District Development Fund (DDF).
The workers told Sunday News that on a good day, the airport would see three flights in and out of Binga, with one in the morning, afternoon and late afternoon.
In an interview, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said that construction work on the airstrip was ongoing. He said:
DDF is rebuilding the airstrip and you might have seen we have men that are really busy sprucing it up and adding to the work that has already been done there. There is an area that is being built around the airstrip that will become a waiting area where tourists can sit around comfortably as they wait to go and see the Zambezi and other attractions that we have in this part of the country. It is only getting better and better and as a province, we are happy that Binga is attracting more tourists.
DDF Matabeleland North Roads Manager Mr Jacob Ndlovu said that they hoped to be finished with the rehabilitation of the airstrip by the time the rainy season starts.
Mr Rinzelani Majoko, the acting manager at Musumu River Lodge, the resort where visitors taken from the airstrip are delivered before going on a tour of the Zambezi River, said that the airstrip had eliminated the unpleasant aspects of long-distance travel.
Majoko said that the airstrip was bringing in clients from Africa, Europe and North America, including those that had to postpone their visits to Binga at the onset of Covid-19.