Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, [email protected]
ν Over 2 190 formally registered rooms
do not reflect situation on the ground
ν As ZITF requires over 6 000 rooms
THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has called on all accommodation service providers to register and become fully compliant ahead of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026 saying the development is key to accurately highlighting room capacity and occupancy in the city.
Room capacity measures the available supply of accommodation (rooms, units or beds) in establishments such as hotels, motels and hostels, while room occupancy indicates the percentage of available rooms occupied over a specific period. These metrics are crucial for assessing demand and profitability.
As one of the largest and most important annual multi-sector trade exhibitions in sub-Saharan Africa, ZITF consistently attracts large and diverse crowds to the city. Accommodation tends to get fully booked well in advance of the event with major hotels and lodges often full days after the ZITF dates are announced, leading to an increase in the number of Airbnb and private room rentals.
Statistics indicate that the formally registered room capacity in the city is close to 1 900 tourism rooms, yet the sector appears to be experiencing a shortage due to high demand during such events. However, unregistered facilities temporarily increase the city’s room capacity but pose significant regulatory, safety, and compliance challenges.
Speaking at the recent Compliance Workshop for Short-Term Rental Hosts in Bulawayo, ZTA Bulawayo Regional Manager Mrs Lindarose Ntuli emphasised the importance of registration and compliance for those offering accommodation services during the ZITF period.
“What we refer to as Airbnb in our personal spaces are what we call bed and breakfast operators, guest houses and sometimes lodges. But Airbnb itself is a booking platform. You will find that even hotels appear on Airbnb because it is a platform that allows hosts or branch managers to apply to be listed. The law requires you to register with the ZTA as the primary step,” she said.
“It is a requirement, but there are also other benefits to registration. Legally, you can operate an Airbnb outside the law. Our licensing is valid for a year, which is 12 months. If you apply for registration and your licence is granted in April, it only expires the following year in April.”
She added that for Airbnb owners to obtain a ZTA licence, their initial approval must come from Bulawayo City Council (BCC), which requires obtaining the necessary clearance.
Mrs Ntuli stressed that registered facilities play a vital role by complying with national regulations, which can also facilitate accurate measurement of room capacity and occupancy in the city.
“As it stands, we might be estimating that Bulawayo has a room capacity of close to 2 000 tourism rooms, but this does not accurately reflect the situation on the ground. During ZITF, accommodation facilities may mushroom, but are they registered?”
Registered facilities can be promoted confidently in marketing campaigns, knowing they have been checked and meet the required standards.
Mrs Ntuli further explained that the ZTA provides a list of all registered facilities on its website and publishes an annual list of designated registered facilities.
“As a registered operator, you can participate in the tourism value chain and promotional activities. Registration also fosters credibility with other tourism stakeholders, investors and the community. It establishes quality assurance and trust with clients. Everyone prefers to deal with a legitimate business,” she added.
She emphasised that to market a destination effectively, it is essential to measure and record it in accordance with the rules and requirements of the host country.
Mrs Ntuli urged those operating Airbnb rentals from private homes to take formalisation seriously. This would enable ZTA to identify all accommodation facilities in the city during stock-taking exercises.
“Those claiming they only have one room to rent out here and there are mistaken. How can we account for Bulawayo’s room stock if you are not formalised?
“Our challenge is that, with ZITF approaching, the formal accommodation provision in Bulawayo is not sufficient. We are beginning to consider Bulawayo as too small for ZITF,” she said.
“Is that true? No. It is not true for those of us who know Bulawayo. But for someone looking at the figures—how many rooms do we have we have 2 190 registered rooms, while ZITF requires over 6 000 rooms.”
She highlighted that accurate room capacity and occupancy figures are critical when bidding for conferences that attract large crowds.
Businessman Mr Louis Herbst said from a policy, planning and economic perspective, the registration and compliance of all accommodation providers during ZITF are not merely administrative but foundational.
“Compliance ensures that minimum safety, health and service standards are maintained during periods of high visitor influx. Unregulated accommodation introduces avoidable risks to guests and could damage Bulawayo’s reputation as a host city,” he said.
“A fully registered accommodation sector allows authorities to accurately determine room capacity, monitor occupancy levels and plan infrastructure, transport and emergency services effectively. Without this, strategic planning becomes speculative, limiting both immediate efficiency and long-term development.”
He added that there is a broader economic and civic responsibility involved, as a compliant sector contributes fairly to the formal economy. Revenues generated during peak periods should be reinvested into public services and urban development.
Airbnb host and property manager Ms Samantha Banda, called for clear guidance for Airbnb and short-term accommodation operators in Bulawayo regarding regulatory, tax, insurance and municipal requirements necessary for legal operation.
“All Airbnb owners and accommodation providers must operate within the law and responsibly within Zimbabwe’s tourism and business framework.
“With the growth of the short-term rental market and the anticipated influx of visitors during ZITF, property owners and managers are encouraged to become compliant,” she said.
She further explained that regulatory alignment would strengthen Bulawayo’s readiness to host international visitors during ZITF and other major tourism events and was vital for the growth of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.
This comes at a time when the country’s tourism sector is on an upward trajectory. In 2025, Zimbabwe received more than 1.77 million international arrivals — a 10 percent increase from the same period in 2024 — and generated over US$1.3 billion in tourism receipts, up from US$1.1 billion in 2024.
Meanwhile, ZTA has intensified calls for Airbnb operators to register, as many have been operating without the necessary papers.
The authority urged operators to register noting that the Government has reduced licensing and registration fees across categories to improve ease of doing business and foster a competitive, compliant and sustainable tourism sector.
