Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
Cabinet has approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the tourism sector as part of broader reforms to reduce the cost of doing business and enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness as a prime tourism destination.
Briefing the media after today’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said the review was undertaken in line with the Cabinet decision of July 29, 2025, which approved the rationalisation of licences, permits, levies and fees across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“Cabinet considered and approved the review of licence, permits, levies and fees in the Tourism Sector in line with the Cabinet decision of 29 July, 2025, which approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees on business by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“A consultative approach was adopted in the review of the accommodation, hospitality and catering; tour guide and operators; boating services; and vehicle rental services value chains, which were operating under a choking regulatory environment,” said Dr Muswere.
He added that the review process was carefully undertaken to address long-standing concerns within the tourism value chain.
“The review was undertaken to remove identified unjustifiable licences and permits, levies and fees, streamline duplicative and overlapping licences and permits, and reduce unsustainably high fees and levies,” he said.
Dr Muswere addd that the reviewed licences, permits, levies and fees will be subjected to additional refinements to ensure they fully respond to the operational needs of the tourism industry while promoting investment.
The development comes at a time Government is intensifying the implementation of ease-of-doing-business reforms, a key plank of Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy.
“The review process is in line with the implementation of the on-going case of ease-of-doing business reforms which aims to reduce the cost of doing business, increasing competitiveness and enhancing growth in the Zimbabwean economy,” said Dr Muswere.
Tourism players have long raised concerns over high regulatory charges which, they argued, hampered investment, competitiveness and sectoral growth.
The latest move is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs and further boost Zimbabwe’s attractiveness as a leading destination for both leisure and business travel.
