Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
Air Zimbabwe has partnered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to introduce direct flights on the Harare – Masvingo and Victoria Falls – Masvingo routes ahead of next week’s Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo in Masvingo.
The arrangement started with a maiden Air Zimbabwe flight landing at Masvingo Airport on Saturday morning and this air shuttle will initially run until September 12.
Masvingo City is hosting the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo at Gymkhana Grounds from September 9 to 12 .
The build up for the event has already started, with Masvingo hosting a Sports Tourism Carnival which ended on Friday.
The programme continues with a Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe half marathon and other events.
It was a moment to remember as an Air Zimbabwe plane landed at Masvingo Airport and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbra Rwodzi was on hand to witness the historic event.
Speaking on the milestone, Minister Rwodzi said the flights will provide convenient travel options for exhibitors, buyers, delegates and visitors for the tourism expo.
Over 500 international buyers and exhibitors have confirmed participation at this year’s event as Zimbabwe tourism continues its rebound.
Minister Rwodzi hailed the Air Zimbabwe and ZTA partnership noting it will help manage the increased visitor movement and support economic activities in Masvingo province during the expo.
The flight service will be operated using an ART 42-500 plane, with the inaugural Harare-Masvingo flight arriving at Masvingo Airport carrying 44 passengers.
“The newly introduced flights are expected to serve our international buyers who will attend the expo and most of them will be coming via the Robert Mugabe International Airport,” said Minister Rwodzi.
“They will be connected to Masvingo City where the expo will be taking place.”
According to Minister Rwodzi, the Government will consider the feasibility of keeping the Harare-Masvingo flights beyond the expo.
She said the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) will continue to refubish Masvingo Airport to meet international standards.
The newly-introduced flights offer visitors a more convenient and faster way of reaching Masvingo while casting sportlight on the province’s numeeous tourist attraction sites.
Masvingo is home to premier tourist attraction sites such as the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam in Chivi south, Great Zimbabwe Monument World Heritage Site, Kyle Recreational Park and the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park in the Lowveld.
