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South Africa : US$18 Million Santonga construction started
Publish Date : 09-Dec-2014
Tourism Company Africa Albida Tourism has began the construction of a US$18 Million education and entertainment Park in Victoria Falls dubbed Santonga. Construction of the 80-acre eco-park, next to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge started previous month. Santonga will interactively tell the story of Victoria Falls through its history as well as culture and nature. Africa Albida chief executive Ross Kennedy said construction was delayed because of the lack of a conducive economic and lending environment.
He said the construction of the park would take two and half years to complete and create 150 jobs as well as downstream employment benefits. The park which is likely to draw 120 000 visitors each year is planned to be opened in June 2016. The site is at present being rehabilitated with above 600 tonnes of topsoil, 6 000-plus indigenous trees and shrubs in addition to the construction of a road, waterholes, weirs and a fence.
“Santonga is a product that will appeal to everybody,” Kennedy said.
“The tours at the park will take between four and half to seven hours and could add half a day’s stay in Victoria Falls.” He said that this extended stay would significantly boost revenue inflows.
Kennedy said that improved tourism arrivals had been recorded as demonstrated by the increase of room nights sold this year compared to the same period in 2010. He in addition disclosed that they had carried out a US$1 million upgrade of the 66 rooms of their flagship property, the Victoria Safari Lodge which was finished in July this year. He said that the hotel group was poised to take advantage of the construction of the Victoria Falls airport which was likely to increase tourist arrivals into the resort town. Africa Albida Tourism has a portfolio of hotels and restaurants in Victoria Falls together with its flagship property, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.
