Under the 2026 Tourism Bill, a newly instituted Tourism Council has been established with the primary responsibility of administering and overseeing the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund. This shift marks a significant change in how the industry's financial resources are managed and governed.
Key Responsibilities of the New Tourism Council
The council's mandate is defined by several core functions designed to improve the industry's financial framework:
- Fund Oversight and Accountability: A central goal of the council is to bring transparency to the management of the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund, which is financed by a 2% tourism levy. Moving away from the current model—where control is held solely by the Minister and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) CEO—the council will implement necessary checks and balances to ensure fiscal accountability.
- Advising the Minister: Comprising various tourism operators, the council is tasked with providing expert advice to the Minister of Tourism. This includes specific recommendations on how the fund should be utilized to promote Zimbabwe as a destination and to develop essential infrastructure.
- Separation of Duties: The Bill effectively separates the financial management of the Tourism Fund from the ZTA Board. This allows the ZTA Board to focus strictly on industry regulation, while the council governs the funds dedicated to marketing and development.
Industry Perspectives and Global Context
While the creation of this council aligns with international best practices observed in countries such as South Africa and Kenya, the transition has not been without debate. During public consultations, some stakeholders expressed concern regarding the centralization of power, noting that the Minister both appoints the council and acts as the Trustee of the fund. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions regarding the potential duplication of duties between the new council and the existing ZTA Board.
Thomas Madondoro
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