The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Business Correspondent
ZIMBABWE Tourism Authority has warned operators of tourism facilities who are operating illegally in Manicaland to come forth and register or face the legal consequences.
In a statement this week, ZTA also urged members of the public not to patronise unregistered facilities as this could compromise their safety and security.
The authority recently launched a blitz in Manicaland on all unregistered tourism facilities, a development which has seen most tourism facilities registering.
“In terms of The Tourism Act of 1996 Chapter 14:20 Section 57, all Designated Tourist facilities should be registered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. The designation does not imply that only “tourists” use the facility but the facility contributes to the development of tourism through provision of a service to all users.
“Statutory Instrument 106 of 1996 sets out facilities that are currently designated and these include conference organisers, restaurants whether in hotel or otherwise, vehicle, bicycles, boat, bus hire, curio shops, tour operators, hunting operators, tour guides, travel agents, including those online, hotels, lodges, guest houses, camps and camp sites, bed and breakfast, visitor attractions including game parks, farms, art galleries, those marketing their facilities on online booking platforms,” said the ZTA in a statement.
Meanwhile, tourism facilities in Manicaland have started preparing for this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo which will be held from September 12 to 14 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo. ZTA chief executive, Rita Likukuma said registration had opened and exhibition space will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. “All exhibitors were urged to book early to avoid last minute disappointments. The 2018 edition registered 318 exhibitors and it is envisaged that this number will be surpassed given the interest that has come through from first time exhibitors. We want the 2019 edition to be much bigger and definitely much better,” she said.
She appealed to every operator throughout the country to come out and take advantage of the fair. “No operator is small in tourism as everyone has a market to serve. We want everyone to be present,” she added.
