By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THE commissioning of Kazungula Bridge will spur the tourism industry in the SADC region as it opens up the Zambezi Trans frontier Conservation Area as a preferred tourism destination, Tourism expert Rose Musonda has said.
Ms Musonda said the Zambezi Trans frontier was important because of its several attractions including the Victoria Falls and Okavango Delta in Botswana.
She said it’s important for players in the tourism industry to start positioning themselves and take advantage of the opening of the $260 Million bridge which will lead to tourists having access to the attraction along the Zambezi basin.
Ms Musonda said the Kazungula Bridge will provide easy connectivity to tourism sites across the Zambezi River using road transport as opposed in the past where tourist were forced to cross using boats.
“The commissioning of Kazungula bridge means the Zambezi basin is now fully connected by the easiest means of transport which is the road as opposed to the past where tourists had to cross by boats,” said Ms Musonda.
Ms Musonda said the bridge was not only important to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana but to the whole SADC region as it will facilitate seamless travel of tourists in the region.
She was also optimistic that the Government of Zambia and Botswana will consider the concerns raised by stakeholders on the exorbitant toll fees at the newly constructed Bridge.
She said the fees were too high and prohibitive therefore will result in tourists shunning the area.
