Harare – Confronted with an enduring economic dip, Zimbabwe has dangled a set of tourism packages to entice travellers as well as reviving...
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Harare – Confronted with an enduring economic dip, Zimbabwe has dangled a set of tourism packages to entice travellers as well as reviving its desired but fading destination prestige.
The move to swing the lucrative carrot means 37 countries were reclassified from category C to B.By tinzwei.com
Pronouncing the State intentions, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa proffered that these moves will encourage holidaymaker arrivals.
“To promote inflows of tourists into the country, Government re-classified 37 countries from Category C to B, and moved Seychelles from Category B to A.”
“To promote inflows of tourists into the country, Government re-classified 37 countries from Category C to B, and moved Seychelles from Category B to A.”
Class A comprises nations whose residents do not require a visa.
Countries whose citizens are granted a Zimbabwean visa at a Port of Entry upon payment of required visa charges occupy Group B.
Tourism is a huge earner for the economy, with figures hovering around $700 million per annum. However, recent innumerable turbulences have triggered the numbers into a tailspin.
“…the relaxation of the visa requirements through reclassifications should increase socio-economic benefits from the SADC and other source markets,” indicated Chinamasa during his policy presentation in Harare recently.
The first quarter of 2016 documented an estimated 450 572 visitor arrivals – up from 387 557 in 2015.
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Tourism is a huge earner for the economy, with figures hovering around $700 million per annum. However, recent innumerable turbulences have triggered the numbers into a tailspin.
“…the relaxation of the visa requirements through reclassifications should increase socio-economic benefits from the SADC and other source markets,” indicated Chinamasa during his policy presentation in Harare recently.
The first quarter of 2016 documented an estimated 450 572 visitor arrivals – up from 387 557 in 2015.
Restrictive tax regimes among other restraints have rendered Zimbabwe an expensive destination compared to other regional countries.
Foreign vacationers are mandated to pay 15 percent tax on accommodation, a policy contested by Tourism Minister, Walter Mzembi.
“Also with the deepening harsh economic environment in the country, the contribution of the domestic market is likely to decrease drastically...,” Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the tourism apex promoter mentioned to the media.
Zimbabwe’s political situation has attracted the wrath of poor grades.
The 2015 Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competitive Report classified the country among the worst world tourism destination.
Harare attained 115 out 141 countries.
Foreign vacationers are mandated to pay 15 percent tax on accommodation, a policy contested by Tourism Minister, Walter Mzembi.
“Also with the deepening harsh economic environment in the country, the contribution of the domestic market is likely to decrease drastically...,” Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the tourism apex promoter mentioned to the media.
Zimbabwe’s political situation has attracted the wrath of poor grades.
The 2015 Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competitive Report classified the country among the worst world tourism destination.
Harare attained 115 out 141 countries.
While a 16 percent growth was realised, Holiday Inn Express and Rainbow hotel ceased operations in the border town, reducing 57% of available rooms in Beitbridge.
The recent Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in June appealed to major world tourism players.
Chinese and Turkish nationals on tourism escapades will enjoy a new Visa exemption regime provided it’s arranged through Travel Agents and Tour Operators.
Under Statutory Instrument 5 of 2016, tourism operators will be freed from paying duty on imported capital goods. The bid is anticipated to boost investment prospects within the industry.
Chinamasa has also advocated for the loosening of ivory trade in Harare.
“In this regard, a lift of the ban on ivory trade under the auspices of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) stands to benefit the country.”
Zimbabwe holds 96 tons of ivory in stocks.
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