Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
WORKS at the Gymkhana Tourism Park in Masvingo, the venue for the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo are now about 80 percent complete, with the facility set to significantly enhance the city’s capacity to host major tourism and events activities.
The development, which is being accelerated ahead of the September tourism showcase, will include a restaurant, bar, gastronomy hub, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) offices and a mini-stadium, positioning the facility as a key tourism and leisure hub in the province.
The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry said a conference centre would be developed at a later stage, further expanding the facility’s events hosting capacity.
“Works at the Gymkhana Tourism Park are about 80 percent complete, with the facility set to include a Restaurant, Bar, Gastronomy Hub, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority offices and Mini-Stadium.
“A Conference Centre is planned as a future development after Sanganai, further enhancing the Gymkhana Tourism Park’s capacity to host major Tourism and events activities in Masvingo,” the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry said in an update.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, together with Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira and several stakeholders toured the Gymkhana Tourism Park, Masvingo Airport and the Great Zimbabwe Visitor Centre to assess progress on infrastructure and preparations for the expo.
The developments come as Government seeks to use the rotation of Sanganai/Hlanganani to spread tourism investment, infrastructure development and economic opportunities beyond traditional host cities.
The decision to devolve the expo to different cities aligns with Vision 2030 and the economic transformation thrust under the Second National Development Strategy (NDS2), ensuring that the annual tourism showcase contributes to provincial development.
The 19th edition will begin with the September Sports Tourism Carnival from September 1 to 4, followed by the Street Carnival on September 5 ahead of the main expo from September 9 to 12.
“So far, 270 Exhibitors have registered, with 450 expected to participate, while current registrations include 129 International and 44 local buyers, with participation continuing to build.”
The ministry spotlighted Masvingo’s strategic location along the regional Cape-to-Cairo corridor as an opportunity to attract fresh investment into the province’s tourism infrastructure
“Minister Rwodzi emphasised the province’s strategic position along the regional Cape-to-Cairo corridor and the opportunity to unlock investment in five-star Accommodation, Conference facilities, Restaurants, Lodges and other Tourism products,” added the update.
