Zimbabwe’s government has recently enacted a new economic empowerment drive, specifically through Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025, known as the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment (Foreign Participation in Reserved Sectors) Regulations. This policy aims to boost local ownership and economic participation by reserving a comprehensive list of economic sectors exclusively for Zimbabwean citizens. Among the diverse businesses now ring-fenced for locals are everyday services like passenger transport, bakeries, salons, advertising agencies, and notably, travel agencies.

Under these new regulations, foreign investors currently operating in these reserved sectors are mandated to gradually cede majority ownership to Zimbabweans. A transition period of three years has been established, requiring foreign entities to sell 75% of their shares, with a divestment of 25% each year. This move is intended to ensure that Zimbabweans significantly benefit from key economic activities and achieve greater control over their national economy.

However, the inclusion of the travel agency business in this reserved list has sparked significant debate and criticism, with prominent voices arguing it represents a case of “closing the gates after the horses have bolted.” Nyanga South legislator Supa Mandiwanzira is a vocal critic, contending that the traditional travel agency sector is no longer relevant for such protection given the fundamental global shift toward online travel booking platforms. He highlighted that most consumers, both local and international, now purchase tickets and book holidays online, often through global digital platforms like trip.com and kayak, which are predominantly run by foreign tech companies operating beyond conventional local regulation.

This perspective resonates widely within the tourism sector, where professionals acknowledge that the digitalization of travel bookings has diminished the central role of brick-and-mortar agencies in the industry’s future. Critics argue that reserving this legacy business model for locals risks missing the true drivers of modern tourism growth. Moreover, they warn that the policy could inadvertently limit Zimbabwe’s crucial ability to attract international expertise, technology, and strategic partnerships essential for developing a competitive and contemporary tourism industry.

Tourism stands as a vital pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic revival strategy, alongside agriculture and mining, and is viewed as a