Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
BULAWAYO is preparing to crown its next tourism ambassador after registrations officially opened for the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe (MTZ) Bulawayo provincial qualifier.
Aspiring contestants have until July 10 to submit their entries. This year’s competition carries heightened expectations after Bulawayo produced the last two Miss Tourism Zimbabwe queens. Sisa Nkomo won the national title in 2025 before Zanele “Jewel” Moyo successfully extended the city’s dominance by claiming the 2026 crown.
The back-to-back victories have further cemented Bulawayo’s reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s leading pageantry hubs.
Veteran pageant director Philip Masuku, who is coordinating the Bulawayo qualifier, said the event forms part of Miss Tourism Zimbabwe’s decision to revive provincial competitions across the country.
“The MTZ organisation is hosting provincial finals, and the winners will go on to compete at the national pageant,” said Masuku.
He said Bulawayo’s recent success had played a key role in the return of the provincial format.
“Bulawayo won Miss Tourism Zimbabwe in 2025 through Sisa Nkomo and again this year through Zanele Moyo. As such, the Miss Tourism Zimbabwe board has seen it fit to reintroduce provincial finals as it was before.”
Masuku said the selection process would begin with auditions before contestants compete in the provincial finale, the date of which is yet to be announced.
“We’re conducting auditions. From there, we’ll stage the provincial final. We’ll announce more details as they become available,” he said.
He added that the pageant goes beyond beauty, serving as a platform to promote tourism and celebrate Bulawayo’s cultural heritage.
“The pageant is about celebrating Zimbabwean tourism from a provincial perspective. It’s a celebration of the people of Zimbabwe and an opportunity to market Bulawayo as a tourism destination.”
Over the years, Miss Tourism Zimbabwe has evolved into a platform that promotes tourism, culture and heritage, with contestants expected to serve as ambassadors for their provinces and the country.
The return of provincial qualifiers is expected to boost grassroots participation, giving contestants an opportunity to represent their home provinces before advancing to the national stage.
Meanwhile, reigning Miss Tourism Zimbabwe Zanele Moyo is preparing to represent the country at the global contest scheduled for China in November.
