Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
THE iconic Great Zimbabwe Hotel in Masvingo has embarked on a multi-million-dollar expansion project to meet rising demand for rooms and conference facilities.
Situated about 700 metres from the UNESCO-designated Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site — about 25km south-east of Masvingo City — the hotel has divested from top local hospitality group, Africa Sun Limited.
It is now under the management of Kefmeg Investments, owned by the Mewame Family Trust, making it a wholly indigenous Zimbabwean company.
The expansion project will see the hotel double its room capacity, signalling a strong rebound in the local tourism sector as the country positions itself for upper-middle-income status by 2030. This development follows Zimbabwe being voted the world’s best tourist destination last year, a testament to the Second Republic’s drive to consolidate tourism as a key pillar of the economy.
Great Zimbabwe Hotel general manager, Ms Areths Takaza, confirmed that work on the expansion is already underway and is scheduled for completion by September 1. The timeline aligns with Masvingo province’s hosting of this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, which runs from 9 to 12 September, transforming the ancient city into a hub for global tourism players.
“We have received the greenlight from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) to proceed with expanding our room capacity, and work has already started,” said Ms Takaza.
“We are now awaiting further guidance from NMMZ regarding the conference centre to ensure our project remains within the guidelines that protect the integrity of the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site.”
The expansion will add 71 new rooms, comprising two presidential suites, 20 executive rooms, and 59 standard rooms. In addition, a state-of-the-art, self-contained 500-seater conference centre is planned, also targeted for completion before September 1.
Ms Takaza emphasised that UNESCO guidelines will influence key aspects of construction, including building materials, paint colours, and the scale of new structures, ensuring the nearby heritage site remains uncompromised.
Despite the change in ownership, the hotel will retain its name.
“We chose to maintain the name Great Zimbabwe Hotel because of its strong brand recognition, linked to the internationally renowned Great Zimbabwe Monument. This presents a powerful marketing advantage,” said Ms Takaza.
The expansion is a response to surging demand for accommodation in Masvingo, driven by increased business activity and a rise in tourism.
“Every time there is a major conference in the province, our guests scramble for rooms that meet their expectations.
“As a key player, we had to act to accommodate the growing number of international travellers visiting the Great Zimbabwe Monument,” said Ms Takaza.
Business at the hotel has also been bolstered by a sharp increase in domestic tourism, which has become a cornerstone of the sector in the post-Covid-19 era. Masvingo’s strategic location, equidistant from Zimbabwe’s major cities, has further contributed to rising demand.
Ms Takaza expressed optimism that the resilience of the tourism sector will continue to support Vision 2030 by creating direct employment and generating income for local communities involved in handicrafts and related industries.
The Great Zimbabwe Monument, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, continues to attract increasing numbers of visitors.
The site itself is undergoing refurbishment under the multi-million dollar Great Zimbabwe Preservation Project, further enhancing the region’s appeal as a premier cultural and historical destination.
