‘Govt should relax conditions on duty exemptions’

Village Lodge director Mr Chikaka said the hospitality industry was being shortchanged by the criteria used to determine players that qualify for tariff exemption.
“My conviction is the conditions for one to qualify for duty exemption are not only selective but inhibitive because it normally takes a lot of effort to benefit.
“The difficult thing is that everything is done in Harare and it is not easy to earn qualification.
“The process is not only cumbersome but deterrent,” said Mr Chikaka.
The Amazing Village Express Lodge director said players were unable to import equipment at affordable price without the exemption.
He also appealed for organisations such Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to decentralise so that services could be accessed at any level.
“As players in the hospitality industry we appeal for necessary support from organisations in the mould of HAZ and ZTA, even the Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
“These organisations can help in making our operations known through their information centres.”
The Minister of Finance re-enacted Statutory Instruments 46 and 50 that allow the sector to import capital goods and motor vehicles duty free.
In the 2012 Budget review presentation last year, Finance Minister Tendai Biti announced a waiver on vehicles for safari operators as well as on capital goods in the hospitality industry.
Mr Chikaka also called upon lodges and hotels to improve their services and outlook in order to meet international standards.
“Zimbabwe will host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in 2013 and it is incumbent upon every player in the tourism and hospitality industry to adhere to international standards. We should strive to maintain the highest level of ambiance in our lodges so that we can send the correct message to international visitors,” he said.
Zimbabwe and Zambia will co-host the 2013 UNWTO General Assembly at Victoria Falls and Livingstone.
At least 186 countries will be represented at the meeting which will rank as one of the biggest gatherings in the world.