Five African nations met recently to approve the creation of a game reserve that will be the world's largest protected land area. The countries are hoping the park will serve as a major tourist attraction and source of jobs.
"The planned conservation area will straddle the borders of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe."
"Officials believe it will also help regional tourism ahead of the 2010 World Cup taking place in South Africa."
"The prosposed Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Park will cost an estimated $100m to set up and is expected to contribute significantly to job creation in the five countries."
"While the southern African region has big potential as a tourist destination, those meeting in Botswana's capital, Gaborone, say much needs to be done to attract tourists to the region."
"'The major issue is about sustainable tourism,' Botswana's Tourism Minister Kitso Mokaila told the BBC."
"'Tourism is a revenue generator and therefore if we can get the conservation issue right then I think we can start talking more positively and more confidently about sustainable tourism.'"
Read the full story: Africa plans largest game park
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