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Patrick Chitumba Victoria Falls Reporter
PLAYERS in the tourism industry have welcomed the proposed re-introduction of the rebate on duty on capital goods by the Government for 12 months from January next year.In the 2014 National Budget on Thursday, Finance Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa, said the tourism sector needed more time to implement the expansion and modernisation programme.
He added that reintroducing the rebate on duty on capital goods will be done with effect from January 1, 2014, for a period of 12 months.
In separate interviews in the resort town of Victoria Falls, players in the tourism sector commended the Government saying the move will enhance expansion and modernisation of hotels and restaurants as well as replacement of the ageing fleet.
“This is a very progressive budget given the economic situation of Zimbabwe. We however think that free rebate should also be extended to helicopter parts and other artifacts such as the Masai curios and Java clothes in order to add value to our destination,” said Clement Mukwasi of Shearwater Adventures.
Ben Tesa of Khanondo Safaris said the decision was welcome but said there was need to change the terms and conditions applied to the previous facility, which he said was very unfortunate.
“The terms and conditions are very discouraging and tough for ordinary indigenous players. Some of the conditions are that one has to be a member of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) of the Zimbabwe Council of Tourism (ZCT). Why should I join HAZ when we have the Zimbabwe Tourism Association (ZTA)?” he said.
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