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THE SADC regional approach to multi-destination marketing through the KAZA Uni Visa pilot should now be extended to the entire region to facilitate borderless travel in order to increase business momentum, HAZ president, George Manyumwa has said.
Presenting the organisation’s 2016 resolutions to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Mzembi at a colourful ceremony held late last month in Harare, Mr Manyumwa, emphasised on the need for a tourism-friendly visa regime to make Zimbabwe accessible to tourists and to ensure that visitor facilitation is flawless.
“While we welcome the move for a proposal of a tourism-friendly visa regime for facilitating travel to Zimbabwe enunciated in the 2016 National Budget, the industry recommends that the SADC regional approach to multi-destination marketing through the KAZA Uni-Visa pilot project be extended to the entire region to facilitate borderless travel.
At continental and international level, it is imperative to make Zimbabwe accessible and to ensure visitor facilitation is flawless, by repositioning the categorisation of countries, such that the majority of countries in Category C are upgraded to Category B,” he said.
He added that destinations were competing for the same visitor and the choice would be influenced by, among other things, the flexible visa requirements.
“African countries should be given special dispensation to acquire visas on entry and the upcoming market from BRICS countries,” he said.
He applauded Ministers’ Mzembi and Chinamasa’s efforts in positioning the tourism and hospitality strategically in the 2016 budget.
“Statements 1278 and 1279 in the 2016 Budget Statement which grant the sector the authority to import capital goods and equipment duty-free, for hotels and lodges, while safari operators have access to import safari vehicles duty free are absolutely welcome especially as the period of rebates has been extended to two years. This will go a long way in refreshing and upgrading the tourism and hospitality product.
“However, with regards to Value Added Tax the initial zero rating on foreign arrivals which had been declared at inception of the tax regime, on the basis that this service is a locally produced export was lifted in 2015 and 15 percent was imposed on accommodation of all foreign arrivals,” he said.
He acknowledged Government’s efforts in mobilising resources for development but emphasised on the risk of diminishing returns. He, therefore, called for a review downwards from 15 percent to five percent.
“We also resolved on an urgent need to promote domestic tourism through joint programmes and working closely with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority on various initiatives such as “Know your Zimbabwe” campaign which is aimed at creating awareness and showcasing regional tourism products through road shows, engaging in publicity programmes through the relationship with various media (print and electronic).
“On another note, due to the location of some of the tourism attractions and also the hours of business some employees might find it difficult to embark on continuous education. Therefore it was recommended that the collaboration with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and Ministry of Information, Communications Technology Courier and Postal Services be strengthened to benefit from E-Learning platforms.
“ICTs have an enormous impact on tourism and hospitality and its integration in the hospitality industry is essential for the success of the sector. The strategic goal is to integrate ICT in tourism to ensure more accessibility, visibility and availability of information,” said Mr Manyumwa.
He implored the ministry (of Tourism) to come up with incentives to attract local ICT organisations who can develop hotel management software and reservation systems.
Online Reporter