Reintroduce tourism duty free import facility

the duty free importation of vehicles and consumables used in the sector.
Mzembi, who was responding to pleas by players in the sector to reinstate the facility to allow for continued growth, said it was critical in promoting tourism in the country.
Finance Minister Biti in the 2010 mid-term fiscal policy review last year withdrew statutory instrument 46 and 60 which allowed tourism players to import vehicles and other goods for the refurbishment of tourism facilities duty free.
Mr Biti is due to present the 2011 mid-term policy later this month. “I will implore Minister Biti to review his decision. Reinstating the duty free regime is for the survival of the industry,” he said.
“This is a lifeline that the industry had and critically needs.”
Bronte hotel managing director Mr Graham Dickens had told a Press conference that withdrawal of the regime had badly affected the industry.
“The duty free incentives should be re-introduced. It is an important aspect if we are to get our industry and infrastructure back on track to meet world standards,” he said.
“We are asking the Tourism Minister to do all he can to “persuade” Minister Biti to re-introduce the duty free regime,” he added.
Mr Dickens said the sector had potential for contributing significantly towards the country’s GDP.
Meanwhile, Minister Mzembi bemoaned the continued loss of skilled personnel in the industry to neighbouring countries.
This he said was a serious impediment in efforts to reclaim Zimbabwe’s share on the global tourism market.
He said concerted efforts on the part of Government and the private sector was needed in luring back professionals who have gone in search of “greener pastures”. – New Ziana.