Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has expressed concern over the proliferation of unregistered brothels across Zimbabwe, particularly singling out Harare as a hotspot for these unlicensed establishments. She described these ‘quickie nests’ as detrimental to Zimbabwe’s efforts to enhance both domestic and international tourism. Minister Rwodzi issued a stern warning to such unlicensed facilities, indicating that they face imminent closure if they do not comply with regulatory standards.
In a bid to uplift the country’s hospitality sector, Minister Rwodzi called upon stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at standardizing and grading tourism facilities. This, she emphasized, is crucial for enhancing Zimbabwe’s reputation as a preferred tourism destination, especially in preparation for the upcoming SADC Summit in August. “We are dismayed by the proliferation of facilities across the country, particularly in Harare, where apartments are being transformed into AirBnBs and brothels,” Rwodzi remarked.
“These establishments not only detract from the tourist experience but also fail to deliver the services they purport to offer. They are essentially shortchanging clients, charging high fees for substandard services.” Minister Rwodzi also criticized local hotels that misrepresent their quality through false star ratings, likening some to brothels in disguise.
She urged operators in the tourism and hospitality industry to adhere strictly to e.
