Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe Zimpapers Business Hub
Government has unveiled a bold and innovative financing framework under the newly launched National Tourism Policy, designed to transform Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality industry into a vibrant, sustainable and globally competitive economic sector.
Unveiled by President Mnangagwa on Monday, the 2025–2030 Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy is the culmination of extensive consultations conducted across all 10 provinces.
The blueprint provides a clear roadmap for positioning tourism as a leading contributor to Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the adoption of international best practices.
The policy is anchored on six core pillars, with one of the most transformative being the development and utilisation of innovative and stable financing infrastructure to unlock sector-wide growth.
“The Financing Infrastructure for the tourism and hospitality industry shall provide for the establishment of a resilient and sustainable model and system of financing the development of the sector,” the policy document notes.
The financing pillar is seen at the heart of the new policy thrust.
It aims to attract both domestic and foreign investment, enhance accountability and mobilise the financial resources required to revitalise the sector.
This includes both public and private sector-led initiatives aimed at infrastructure development, service delivery enhancement, and sustainability.
“The effective implementation of the aspirations of the Policy requires transparency and accountability in the utilization and management of tourism and hospitality industry resources,” the document reads.
As part of the financing drive, the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund (ZTF) has been reconfigured into a critical vehicle for funding priority infrastructure and promoting service quality and standards within the sector.
“Configuring of the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund (ZTF) so that it is used for tourism and hospitality industry infrastructure development, as well as quality and standards development and enhancement,” the policy further outlines.
In addition, the Government is implementing robust measures to broaden revenue streams.
These include improved registration and grading of tourist facilities to ensure greater compliance and to boost financial flows into the sector.
“Strengthening the registration and grading of tourist facilities to improve financial flows in the industry leading to improved contributions of the industry to the national GDP,” the document notes.
Compliance with tax and regulatory frameworks is being strengthened, particularly targeting emerging and digital-based operators such as online booking platforms.
“Strengthening operational regulations so as to improve tax compliance by emerging tourism and hospitality industry operators, e.g. online operators and bookings,” it reads.
In line with Vision 2030, the policy places a strong emphasis on leveraging private sector capital both local and international as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the industry.
“Promote international and domestic private sector investment in the tourism and hospitality industry,” it adds.
Tourism is already recognised as a strategic pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing significantly to employment creation, foreign currency generation and rural development.
The sector plays a pivotal role in stimulating inclusive economic growth through strong linkages with other key sectors such as transport, agriculture, arts and crafts, and manufacturing.
The new financing architecture is expected to unlock long-term capital, enhance investor confidence, improve sector-wide standards and firmly position Zimbabwe as a competitive tourism destination in the region and beyond.
