MPs Engage in Key Workshop on Tourism Bill and Regional Agreements

Posted by Admin on 2025-07-31 15:17:28 |

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By MKHOKHELI ZIBENGWA

Members of Parliament today convened at the New Parliament Building for a focused half-day workshop aimed at strengthening legislative insight into key international and regional instruments, as well as a pivotal domestic bill set to shape Zimbabwe’s tourism policy.

The session centred on the Tourism (H.B.7, 2025) Bill, which is currently under parliamentary consideration. The Bill seeks to modernise the legal and institutional framework governing tourism in Zimbabwe, aligning it with global best practices while supporting sustainable development, investment, and sectoral growth.

In addition to the domestic legislation, the workshop explored proposed amendments to the International Sugar Agreement of 1992, a treaty that regulates global sugar trade and cooperation among producing and consuming countries. MPs also reviewed the Agreement Amending the Protocol on the Development of Tourism in the SADC Region, a document designed to deepen regional tourism collaboration, harmonise standards, and promote cross-border travel and marketing within Southern Africa.

The capacity-building initiative aimed to sharpen legislators’ understanding of the legal, economic, and geopolitical implications of these instruments to ensure more informed debate and decision-making when they come before Parliament.

Officials said the workshop was part of Parliament’s ongoing commitment to enhancing legislative literacy and policy coherence on complex regional and international matters that intersect with Zimbabwe’s national development goals.

With tourism being one of Zimbabwe’s key economic sectors—and regional integration central to its growth—lawmakers underscored the importance of ensuring that the legislative framework is not only updated, but also strategically aligned with regional and global trends.

The workshop is expected to contribute to robust and well-informed parliamentary deliberations in the coming weeks as lawmakers begin formal debate on the proposed legislative and treaty amendments.