MORE than 80 tourism and accommodation facilities in Manicaland were temporarily closed during a compliance blitz by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), with the majority of them reopening soon after regularising their operations, while 23 remain closed as the crackdown on unregistered operators intensifies.
The countrywide enforcement exercise, which is expected to run until March 14, has forced many tourism businesses that were operating without proper registration to comply with legal requirements before resuming operations.
The blitz follows the expiry of the February 28, 2026 ultimatum issued to tourism operators to register with the ZTA or face closure, marking a decisive enforcement phase in Government’s drive to formalise the tourism sector. During the operation, most facilities that had not registered were shut down before being allowed to reopen after completing the registration process and paying the required fees.
Though no comment could be obtained from ZTA in Mutare citing restrictive protocol, Director of Economic Affairs and Investment Promotion in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya said the blitz presents an important opportunity for operators to align themselves with these standards and strengthen the quality of their services.
“Following their registration, operators will be expected to meet the minimum standards required for official rating and classification. We view this blitz as an important opportunity for operators to align themselves with these standards and strengthen the quality of their services. For our part, we remain committed to improving the range and quality of services offered to tourists. By ensuring that operators meet the required benchmarks, we are confident that Zimbabwe will continue to offer a competitive and appealing tourism product. A stronger product will ultimately contribute to increased tourist arrivals and a greater influx of visitors into the country.
“It is encouraging to note that many operators are already complying with these requirements. This exercise is therefore both timely and critical for the growth and professionalisation of the sector.
Once registered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), operators will gain access to various capacity-building opportunities, including training programmes designed to enhance service delivery and operational standards,” said Mr Rubaya, adding that registration with ZTA also opens the door for operators to be formally marketed and promoted through official tourism platforms.
He said only registered operators can benefit from these marketing initiatives, which are key to improving visibility, boosting business performance, and attracting more tourists to Zimbabwe.
“Ultimately, this process will, not only support the growth of individual businesses, but will also strengthen the overall tourism value chain, contributing to increased visitor confidence, higher service standards, and sustainable growth of the tourism industry,” said Mr Rubaya.
In Buhera District, most tourism and accommodation facilities were found operating without compliance.
However, following the ZTA operation, they moved swiftly to regularise their businesses.
Information gleaned from ZTA, eight facilities in Buhera were closed, but later reopened after completing the registration process and settling statutory payments.
Only three facilities remain closed.
In the scenic Vumba Mountains area, 13 tourism establishments were closed before reopening shortly after complying with the registration requirements. Two facilities were by early this week still closed as authorities continue enforcing compliance regulations.
In Nyanga, authorities closed 19 facilities during the operation. Of these, 13 later reopened after completing the registration process, while six remain closed.
The enforcement exercise also extended to Rusape, where nine tourism facilities were closed before seven reopened after regularising their operations with the ZTA.
In Mutare, 40 facilities were affected by the blitz, with 35 reopening after complying with registration requirements, while five remain closed.
The ZTA said the compliance blitz involves several Government agencies working alongside the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to ensure that all designated tourism facilities operate within the legal framework.
Under Section 36 of the Tourism Act, it is mandatory for all tourism-related businesses, also known as designated tourist facilities, to register with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
The exercise is part of Government’s broader efforts to improve the ease of doing business while strengthening compliance and accountability within the tourism sector.
Authorities say formalising tourism operations will help create a competitive, transparent and sustainable industry that protects both investors and consumers while enhancing service standards across the country’s tourism destinations.-herald
ZTA blitz shuts down 80 non-compliant tourism facilities
