By Nigel Pfunde
HARARE– The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has surpassed its first-quarter registration target for 2026, as preparations intensify for the Sanganai/Hlanganani–Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo in Masvingo this September.
According to ZTA Chief Executive Dr George Manyaya, the Authority set a Q1 target of registering about 339 tourism operators. It instead registered roughly 664, nearly double the goal.
ZTA chief executive Dr George Manyaya
The gains follow a nationwide enforcement and compliance drive targeting lodges, restaurants and other facilities operating outside the regulatory net.
“We want compliance to be a habit, not an event,” Manyaya said.
He said
a further round of inspections was ongoing .
To lower barriers for SMEs, the government halved registration and licensing fees this year.
Meanwhile, this development comes at a time where ZTA is in full throttle of the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo which will run from September 9 to 12 in Masvingo.
It will be in line with government’s devolution agenda to rotate national events across provinces. The province plans to showcase the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Lake Mutirikwi, Tokwe-Mukosi Dam and Gonarezhou National Park.
To meet accommodation demand, ZTA has opened registration for private homeowners who wish to host delegates during the four-day event.
Approved properties will be inspected to meet minimum standards and listed on the official database.
The registration and temporary licensing fee is US$50, according to an advert flighted by the tourism body.
ZTA says the compliance push and lower fees aim to formalize more small-to-medium enterprises, especially in rural and peri-urban areas to strengthen Zimbabwe’s tourism base ahead of the expo.
