CANBERRA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Australia (SA) will be home to the largest safari experience outside of Africa after a proposed zoo expansion.
Australian businessman Gerry Ryan on Friday announced plans to invest 40 million Australian dollars (27.1 million U.S. dollars) in the Monarto Zoo, 60 km east of Adelaide.
The money will be spent on building a five-star luxury resort with hotel rooms, conference rooms and restaurants at the zoo.
Its existing safari experience will be expanded and the zoo will be renamed the "Monarto Safari Park."
"We're thrilled to formalize our partnership with Gerry Ryan which will see him build and operate a state-of-the-art safari resort at Monarto, allowing us to expand our fabulous safari experiences and tourism offering," Chief Executive of Zoos SA Elaine Bensted told News Corp Australia.
Ryan is the founder of recreational vehicle company Jayco Australia and the owner of wineries and resorts.
"Monarto Safari Park is a standout tourism offering, and this expansion will provide visitors with an unsurpassable safari experience that will attract domestic and international visitation," Ryan said.
"Tourism is a key growth sector which has a hugely positive impact on the local economy with the creation of jobs, and by attracting tourists to the region to stay in this unique accommodation," Ryan said.
"I believe Monarto is a jewel in South Australia's crown and the aim of this development is to create a truly memorable safari experience second only to a safari in Africa," he added.
