Bill Gates on Zimbabwe safari
http://www.newzimbabwe.com

16/12/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter

AMERICAN billionaire Bill Gates is in Zimbabwe on a safari holiday, reports
said on Sunday.
The Microsoft boss, the world's richest man from 1995 to 2009, arrived in
the country last Tuesday on a six-day visit, according to the Sunday Mail.

The newspaper said Gates, his wife Melinda and their two children touched
down at the Buffalo Range Airport in Chiredzi on a small private jet and
checked into the exclusive Malilangwe Game Reserve.

The Mail said Gates – the world’s second richest man – was staying at the
first-class Singita Pamushana Lodge where a five-bedroom luxury private
boarding costs US$5,785 per night

The Gates family has interests in Zimbabwe. Last year, Melinda – a
world-famous philanthropist – availed a US$5 million fund through the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation for developmental projects in Harare.

The fund is expected to see the construction of houses for low-income
earners and less-privileged members of society in Dzivaresekwa township.

Part of the funds will be used to improve waste management in the capital.

Bill Gates' visit is a boon for the country's tourism industry which has
been on a recovery path since 2009 when a coalition government eased
political tensions in the country.

"'If Gates can holiday in Zimbabwe, then anyone can' is the message that
Zimbabwe will hope to send to the world," said a tourism expert.

Early this year, Donald Jnr and Eric Trump – the sons of American
billionaire property tycoon Donald Trump – were photographed on a big game
hunt in Zimbabwe during which they killed an elephant, a leopard and a
buffalo. The grissly pictures attracted condemnation from animal rights
groups.

"Grizzly pictures " of dead animals .If they're not happy with that they can find some more Gates types to turn the country into another tree hugger haven.

quote:

The Mail said Gates – the world’s second richest man – was staying at the
first-class Singita Pamushana Lodge where a five-bedroom luxury private boarding costs US$5,785 per night.

"If Gates can holiday in Zimbabwe, then anyone can' is the message that Zimbabwe will hope to send to the world," said a tourism expert.

I don't know if "anyone" can afford $5,785.00 per night, but if masses of tourists pay only 10% of that for a stay, what kind of "footprint" will they leave in their wake?