Tourism players urged to ‘remit levies, fees for sector’s growth’

GOVERNMENT has called upon players in the tourism and hospitality sector to improve compliance in terms of remitting levies and fees to facilitate improved infrastructural development and better service delivery that is necessary for growing the sector.

Addressing tourism sector players during a stakeholder consultative workshop on the Tourism Amendment Bill in Victoria Falls, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, said the industry was not fully executing its role entrusted to it by Government to collect and remit the Tourism Levy.

She said this is the levy that should contribute to infrastructure and service delivery.

“It’s a charge you put on tourists and pass on to us. You are not paying the money, which the tourist is giving you. The law says a tourist has to pay tourism levy on the service you are giving them. Government has entrusted you but some are not charging that,” said Minister Rwodzi.

“Our strategy follows the national strategy by President Mnangagwa in his vision for an upper middle-income society by 2030. So, business should contribute to that. “The strategic goal for this ministry is to make sure we promote and develop our tourism to make Zimbabwe the best destination with international standards. I am very certain that if we continue working together we can meet our targets.”

The minister said tourism was the country’s third highest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product with foreign currency receipts going up to about US$1.2 billion last year from US$911 million in 2022.

She said Victoria Falls as the capital of tourism had contributed immensely to tourism investments in hotels and lodges construction.

“This approach that we are taking to consult those who have everything to do with tourism is so that we rise together,” she said.

“The idea is to develop tourism and hospitality industry laws that are in absolute and perfect alignment with national goals and aspirations as the paramount and critical strategy to achieve the national vision.

“The ministry’s goal is to have the Act to modernise and industrialise Zimbabwe in line with Vision 2030 and make the tourism and hospitality industry the top contributor to national Gross Domestic Product.”

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Richard Moyo, whose speech was read by Hwange District Development Co-ordinator Mrs Nyaradzo Masoja commended the Tourism Ministry for consulting stakeholders saying this was critical if the sector is to unlock its full potential and contribute meaningfully towards national economic revival, growth and development of the country.

“I must say this is a solid step in the right direction. This bill will not only boost our tourism industry but also contribute to the country’s economic growth and development,” he said.

“These consultative workshops for the Tourism Amendment Bill, therefore, come at the right time as we are focused on the development of Master Plans for co-ordinated development within our province and the nation at large.

“The sector must, therefore, be pinned upon the same premise, and I am hopeful that the deliberations that will come out of this consultative workshop will feed into the Government’s initiative and together we will hit the ground running,” said Minister Moyo.

He implored Zimbabweans to actively participate in the consultative process and create a vibrant and resilient tourism sector that will benefit all leaving no one and no place behind.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s acting chief executive, Mr William Stima said more consultations will be held in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Harare provinces and the process will be followed by consolidation of the inputs to formulate the Bill, which seeks to address challenges and concerns of the tourism industry. This will make Zimbabwe a must visit destination through pursuance of best practice.

Meanwhile, participants urged authorities to address the issue of multiple licenses, keeping Victoria Falls in its pristine state and the need for a tourism vocational training college.