Hotel blitz to benefit industry: ZTA
THE clampdown on unregistered hotels and lodges is in line with the new political dispensation’s “open for business” thrust, as only compliant businesses can attract investment, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has said.
By Tuesday, 142 tourism operators had been shut down in Harare following visits by ZTA teams to 300 facilities.
The crackdown, which will spread to other parts of the country, has caused anxiety among tourism players, but the regulator, ZTA, yesterday said compliant players stood to benefit from investment opportunities, business loans and marketing drives.
The country, the authority said, could only realise meaningful benefits from tourism through tax returns when players were registered.
ZTA head of corporate affairs Mr Godfrey Koti said locally, Zimbabweans also deserved internationally approved standards.
“Our intention is to see all players complying with at least minimum standards,” he said.
“President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is open for business and as a sector we have to align with that position.
“We want investors coming in to comply with statutory requirements. As much as Zimbabwe is open for business, locals must comply. If we all comply, we will become an attractive investment destination and get maximum visibility by meeting international standards. As ZTA, our job is to market Zimbabwean facilities outside the country, but we can only market registered players.
“We have engaged the Convention Bureau and there is interest in holding international conferences and other meetings in Zimbabwe. However, we can only benefit from such international recognition if we meet internationally approved standards.
“While we seek to improve domestic tourism, our people deserve quality standards and decent facilities.”
The mushrooming of unregistered facilities in Zimbabwe has been a cause for concern and the ZTA, in a bid to restore order, made an appeal to all unregistered lodges and hotels to do so by March 31.
Failure to comply with regulations and to register, the authority warned, would result in closure.
“The situation is seriously chaotic and sanity needs to prevail in order to improve, register and monitor to see if all owners are following set down procedures,” said Mr Koti.
“During the day, lodges seem legit and go about their normal business. However, the main concern is the illegal business and activities that some of these facilities are engaging in after hours.
“The state of some of the premises leaves a lot to be desired, with risk of disease outbreak due to the uncleanliness.
“In Harare alone, a total of 142 facilities were shut down yesterday (Tuesday). Most facilities had been operating illegally and have since registered with ZTA and those facilities that are registered have business insurance that covers tourists and other users of the facility against any risk.
“This exercise is not only targeting facilities in Harare, but all facilities in Zimbabwe.
“In terms of the Tourism Act of 1996 Chapter 14:20 Section 57, all designated tourist facilities should be registered with the ZTA.
“A registration fee of $300 is charged and the ZTA is encouraging all operators to make payment plans if they cannot make a once-off payment. A further two percent levy is paid monthly to the authority.”