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 The tourism sector says the introduction of the Aviation Infrastructure Development Fund Levy by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) is tantamount to giving neighboring countries a competitive advantage as they have not been increasing any levies that will make their destinations more expensive.
The concerns come following the move by the aviation board to introduce a levy of US$5 for domestic flights and US$15 for international flights.
Tourism and Travel executive, Mr. Brant Williamson, said it is sad that the move was taken without operators being notified.
He said the introduction of the levy will only work to the detriment of the tourism sector as it is making the country an expensive destination.
He also said neighboring countries can take advantage of such decisions to attract more tourists.
Another tourism and travel agent executive, Mr Clement Mukwasi lamented the move saying tourists do not want to be inconvenienced by additional costs that they have been told of well in advance.
He added that CAAZ have also introduced a navigation fee of 10 dollars per flight for the two helicopter companies now operating in Victoria Falls, another development which set to push the product prize up.
Hotels Association of Zimbabwe’s president in Victoria Falls, Mr Derrick Kung, said he only found out about the new levies well after they had been introduced.
Mr Kung called for transparency and accountability in administering the fund as the public wants to see an improvement in the country’s airports.
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