Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S tourism sector is losing potential revenue to neighbouring countries such as Zambia and Botswana, a situation attributed to the high costs of accommodation and services charged by local providers.
To curb this trend, the Government is taking decisive steps as part of efforts to boost both domestic and international tourism. Among the measures is the introduction of a structured pricing model to ensure fairness and competitiveness within the sector.
In an interview with Zimpapers, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, acknowledged the pricing disparities. She revealed that Cabinet has approved a new bill aimed at regulating the sector, which is now before Parliament.
“We understand that accommodation for ordinary people or even our domestic tourists may be expensive, but it is certainly more expensive in Victoria Falls compared to Livingstone in Zambia, compared to Kasane, and other places where delegates for conferences and tourists may be going,” said Minister Rwodzi. “Victoria Falls, Hwange, and other accommodations around will be much more expensive.”
She expressed satisfaction that the bill has passed through Cabinet and is now in Parliament.
“It is only after the bill has passed and gone through the necessary processes whereby the minister is going to deal with this issue about the pricing model of our accommodation in Victoria Falls and also across all the accommodation facilities in the country,” she said.
Minister Rwodzi explained that the new framework will enforce a grading system for all tourism facilities, which will determine pricing based on international standards. “In our language of tourism, there is something called grading.
All the facilities are graded. When a facility is graded, that is when the pricing model is given to the operator by the Government to say a facility is a one-star, two-star, three-star, or five-star.”
She further elaborated: “Prices of accommodation in a five-star hotel are known internationally. It may not be the same, but the range should be a certain amount. Four-star, three-star, it is not always the same, just as our food in our restaurants.”
The minister expressed concern that high costs are driving away potential tourists, with many visitors opting to stay in neighbouring countries while only visiting Zimbabwe for day trips.
“We are losing a lot of business where internationals come into Victoria Falls, have a view of our rainforest and everything else that we offer, and then cross over to sleep in Livingstone or another town around Victoria Falls because accommodation is expensive and food is expensive. The bill will give us an answer to all this,” she said.
The move is expected to make tourism more affordable for locals, who have long complained about being priced out of their own attractions.
Industry experts have previously stated that while Victoria Falls remains a top global destination, high costs have stifled domestic travel. They have asserted that a balanced pricing structure will enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in the region.
As the bill progresses through Parliament, stakeholders are optimistic that the new measures will not only attract more international visitors but also encourage Zimbabweans to explore their own country without facing prohibitive costs.
With the Government taking concrete steps to regulate the sector, the future of Zimbabwe’s tourism industry is set for further positives, ensuring that the country’s world-class attractions remain accessible to all.
