Story by Stanley James
Government has gazetted Statutory Instrument 27 of 2026, significantly reducing tourism licence fees in a move aimed at boosting investment and enhancing competitiveness in the sector.
The new regulations, issued under the direction of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, slash annual licence fees for hotels to between US$200 for a one-star facility and US$2 000 for a five-star establishment.
The fee reductions also apply to designated tourism facilities, lodges and guest houses as part of broader ease-of-doing-business reforms.
Tourism expert Dr Emmanuel Fundira described the move as a positive signal to investors.
“This is a positive development to the growth of the tourism sector as it sends positive signals on what the Government is doing to ensure our costs are competitive compared to regional peers. By so doing the Government is showing that it listens to what the people, especially those in the tourism sector, want to achieve growth,” he said.
University of Zimbabwe economics lecturer, Dr Moses Chundu, said lowering registration fees could ultimately benefit consumers if operators adjust pricing structures.
“Any reduction in the costs of production has a direct bearing in benefitting the consumers, so it is my hope that the operators will therefore pass on the Government’s action to the final consumer through affordable pricing models,” he said.
The cost-cutting measures follow Zimbabwe’s recent recognition by Forbes as the world’s best country to visit in 2025, a development authorities say underscores the need to align regulatory costs with the country’s growing global tourism profile.
