HARARE
–
The
Zimbabwe
Tourism
Authority
(ZTA)
on
Tuesday
launched
a
sweeping
nationwide
blitz,
closing
more
than
25
unregistered
tourism
facilities
for
failing
to
comply
with
licencing
regulations.
The
crackdown
forms
part
of
the
government’s
broader
push
to
regularise
the
tourism
sector,
with
the
ZTA
targeting
a
wide
range
of
businesses
including
hotels,
lodges,
Airbnb
operators,
travel
agencies,
and
food
outlets.
All
tourism-related
enterprises
are
required
to
be
properly
licensed
and
registered
to
operate
legally.
ZTA
CEO
George
Manyaya
said
the
enforcement
drive
underscores
the
authority’s
unwavering
commitment
to
maintaining
a
safe
and
regulated
tourism
environment
for
both
visitors
and
local
residents.
“In
a
bid
to
facilitate
compliance,
the
government
has
reduced
licence
and
registration
fees,
promoting
the
ease
of
doing
business
within
the
sector,”
he
said.
“Many
tourism
operators
have
responded
positively,
with
a
notable
increase
in
registrations
and
licence
fee
payments
in
recent
weeks.
Unfortunately
the
ZTA
has
had
to
conduct
closures
at
several
locations
due
to
non-compliance.”
ZTA
inspector
applies
a
sticker
to
a
door
announcing
closure
of
an
Airbnb
that
failed
to
secure
a
ZTA
licence
to
operate
Facilities
closed
span
multiple
locations
across
the
country,
with
Gweru
recording
the
highest
number
of
closures
with
nine,
followed
by
Marondera
with
five,
Mutare
with
four,
and
Masvingo,
Bulawayo,
and
Harare
each
recording
three
closures.
Chinhoyi
recorded
one
closure.
Annual
ZTA
licence
fees
have
been
set
at
$150
for
restaurants
and
$100
for
fast
food
outlets.
The
ZTA
says
it
remains
committed
to
fostering
a
collaborative
environment
in
which
industry
stakeholders
can
contribute
to
upholding
the
integrity
of
Zimbabwe’s
tourism
landscape.
Some
of
the
Closed
Facilities
Mashonaland
East
1.
Delfa
Takeaway
2.
B24
3.
Pagomo
Lodges
4.
2019
Lodges
5.
Zim
Nhaka
Restaurant
Bulawayo
1.
Nyamalicous
Restaurant
2.
Rooftop
Restaurant
Masvingo
1.
Cape
to
Cairo
Mashonaland
West
1.
Shalom
Lodge
Mutare
1.
Mima
Restaurant
Midlands
1.
Ekhaya
Lodge
2.
Al
Majid
Lodge
3.
Diamond
Chicken
Restaurant
4.
Fredos
Chicken
Harare
1.
Mr
Sadza
Restaurant
2.
Veruch
Restaurant
3.
Cottage
Bites
Restaurant