News
Victoria Falls threatened by tourist complex
15 November 2006
Victoria Falls in Zambia may be about to lose its status as a World Heritage Site if a new tourism resort is given the go ahead.
Plans have been put in place to erect the multi-million pound complex near to the world-famous waterfalls, reports IRIN.
Victoria Falls is a national park and World Heritage Site, shared with neighbouring Zimbabwe, and attracts hordes of tourists every year.
However, a local environmental organisation is warning that if the tourism resort is built, it will have a negative effect on visitor numbers in the region.
'We have benefited so much from the booming tourism here but we may lose out, as UNESCO [United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organisation] has already indicated to us plans of withdrawing the status of Victoria Falls as a World Heritage Site, should the construction of a Legacy Hotel be allowed to go on in the park," said Nicholas Katanekwa, chair of the Livingstone Tourism Association.
Legacy Holdings International, the company behind the plans, has pledged to spend $260m on building two hotels, 500 chalets and an 18-hole golf course on the site.
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has already expressed concerns about Mosi-O-Tunya National Park, which includes Victoria Falls, during a meeting earlier this year.
'The integrity of the property remained threatened by uncontrolled urban development, pollution and unplanned tourism development,' the committee said.
© Adfero Ltd
Plans have been put in place to erect the multi-million pound complex near to the world-famous waterfalls, reports IRIN.
Victoria Falls is a national park and World Heritage Site, shared with neighbouring Zimbabwe, and attracts hordes of tourists every year.
However, a local environmental organisation is warning that if the tourism resort is built, it will have a negative effect on visitor numbers in the region.
'We have benefited so much from the booming tourism here but we may lose out, as UNESCO [United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organisation] has already indicated to us plans of withdrawing the status of Victoria Falls as a World Heritage Site, should the construction of a Legacy Hotel be allowed to go on in the park," said Nicholas Katanekwa, chair of the Livingstone Tourism Association.
Legacy Holdings International, the company behind the plans, has pledged to spend $260m on building two hotels, 500 chalets and an 18-hole golf course on the site.
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has already expressed concerns about Mosi-O-Tunya National Park, which includes Victoria Falls, during a meeting earlier this year.
'The integrity of the property remained threatened by uncontrolled urban development, pollution and unplanned tourism development,' the committee said.
© Adfero Ltd
