Buhera hosts community-based tourism research conference

 

Lloyd Makonya
Correspondent

IN a ground-breaking event set to reshape Manicaland’s rural tourism landscape, Buhera District is hosting the inaugural Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Research Conference.

The conference which kicked-off on Wednesday, and ends tomorrow (Saturday), is being held at Integral Kumusha, the thriving eco-friendly homestead, popularly known as KwaMai Chimuti in Mukoto Village, Ward 31, Buhera.

The conference has drawn over 100 delegates from more than 10 tertiary institutions, Government departments, local authorities, and the private sector.

The major highlight of this landmark event is tomorrow’s ceremony which will be presided over by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.

 

His presence underscores Government’s commitment to boosting domestic tourism and empowering local communities through sustainable tourism initiatives.

 

Held under the theme: “Resilient Communities: Navigating Climate Change Challenges through Tourism Innovations in Rural Communities,” the conference aims to forge stronger ties between academia, policymakers, and rural communities.

The main objective of the CBT Research Conference is to promote tourism innovations as a catalyst for rural community empowerment.

Supporting this were a range of complementary goals: to promote local entrepreneurship, to strengthen links between academia and communities, to connect tourism activities with cutting-edge research, and to identify and address gaps in the community tourism ecosystem.

The event could not have been held at a more befitting place than at Mai Chimuti’s 12-hectare rural plot which she has turned into a highly productive export centre through intensive farming projects.

The plot is fast emerging as a model homestead showcasing sustainable agro-ecological practices, climate-smart farming, and innovative value addition

The platform has seen the convergence of voices such as Professor Edson Gandiwa, Director-General of ZimParks, and representatives from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ), the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Rural District Councils (RDCs), and several universities and polytechnics.
During their stay in Buhera, delegates were treated to a full immersion in rural life through homestays, traditional games, bonfire knowledge-sharing sessions, and exhibitions of indigenous foods, crafts, and conservation efforts.

“Integral Kumusha demonstrates how community-based tourism can be a powerful tool for both environmental stewardship and socio-economic development,” said Dr Godfrey Makandwa, lead coordinator of the conference and tourism lecturer at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences.

“This event is, not just a platform for sharing research, but for building partnerships that can transform rural economies.”

Over 10 academic papers were presented across four parallel sessions, focusing on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), climate change, community inclusion, and sustainable development strategies.

Topics ranged from youth empowerment through wildlife conservation, digital content creation for rural tourism, to the role of baobab-sisal crafts in women entrepreneurship.

“Community-based tourism is, not just about visitors coming to rural areas, it is about communities having agency, sharing their stories, and innovating from the ground up,” Dr Makandwa emphasised.

“We hope this conference becomes an annual tradition.”