Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
WHEN Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi revealed plans to rotate the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo — starting with Manicaland — the decision was met with scepticism by stakeholders who questioned the availability of adequate facilities in the province.
However, following the successful official opening of the seamless Expo by President Mnangagwa at Mutare Sports Club on Wednesday, Zimbabwe Tourism Business Council chief executive officer, Mr Paul Matamisa, was quick to admit that their initial doubts about the province’s capacity to host the event were misplaced.
“When the Minister (Honourable Rwodzi) first announced plans to relocate the event to Manicaland, and subsequently rotate it among other provinces, the industry was initially skeptical. Our concern stemmed from the fact that hosting an event of this calibre requires adequate facilities, and we had doubts about Manicaland’s capacity to deliver. However, now that we are here, we are pleasantly surprised by the impressive arrangements and the event’s resounding success,” he said while giving the vote of thanks.
Manicaland pulled all the stops to host a spectacular global tourism showcase, surpassing expectations in the process.
The venue of the official opening was immaculately spruced up, while the revamping of Grand Reef Aerodrome, and the resuscitation of the railway network connecting Harare and Mutare demonstrated readiness to host high-profile events.
The impressive infrastructure development works undertaken in the lead-up to the event, coupled with top-notch protocol systems, underscored the province’s capability to stage events of national and global significance.
The flawless welcome accorded to President Mnangagwa upon his arrival at Grand Reef Aerodrome,
opening of the 18th Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo, was a testament to the meticulous organisation.
The event was further enhanced by the vibrant entertainment provided by local traditional dance group, Dapurahunanzva.
The Expo ran under the theme “Devolving Sustainable Tourism Development – Our Future”.
President Mnangagwa commended the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Manicaland provincial leadership, and City of Mutare, among other stakeholders, for the meticulous preparations for the Expo.
“This event exemplifies how tourism expansion can drive economic development, investment attraction, job creation and local enterprise promotion.
Tourism infrastructure in and around Manicaland has been upgraded.
I congratulate the whole-of-Government approach, with private sector collaboration, which has seen this successful hosting of this showcase,” he said.
The President said the Expo has become the cornerstone of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) – a type of tourism where people travel for business or professional purposes, such as attending conferences, meetings, or exhibitions.
“It is now a world renowned platform which demonstrates our capability to host international events that meet the highest standards. The creativity and innovation displayed by participants this year signal Zimbabwe’s readiness to continue competing on the global tourism stage.
It is praiseworthy that this year’s edition of the Expo, for the first time in 18 years, has ventured outside Bulawayo, which is in line with my Government’s Devolution Policy.
By hosting the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo here in the Eastern Highlands, the sector has showcased the diverse beauty of our country, and the immense opportunities that await both domestic and international tourists.
“Nyanga’s misty mountains, Vumba’s lush forests and Chimanimani domestic landscapes have long been Zimbabwe’s hidden gems which have now been availed to the world tourists and adventure enthusiasts, among others,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo was a dynamic marketplace that showcases Zimbabwe’s vast tourism assets as well as unlock opportunities for trade, infrastructure development, and investment.
“This World Tourism Expo is where culture meets commerce, nature meets innovation, and where Zimbabwe positions itself as a premier tourism destination. From our iconic Victoria Falls to the rolling hills of the Eastern Highlands, and from rich wildlife reserves to cultural heritage sites, this event provides a platform to connect global, international and local tourism companies, local entrepreneurs, tour operators and investors.
It is here where new tourism products are showcased, strategic partnerships forged,and innovative travel experiences packaged, for local, regional, and international markets.
“To our distinguished guests, international and local tourism companies, buyers and exhibitors from across the globe, I welcome you to Zimbabwe, a land where breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures and warm hospitality converge. I trust that this premier tourism extravaganza will allow you to experience first-hand the diversity of our country’s tourism offerings, from adventure trails and nature-based experiences to rural and cultural immersion programmes,” he said.
Minister Rwodzi said: “Guided by Your
Excellency’s vision of achieving an upper-middle income society by 2030, the
Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry made a bold decision to host the18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo in Mutare, departing from its traditional venue in Bulawayo. This approach aligns with this year’s theme “Devolving Sustainable Tourism Development — Our Future”, ensuring that every province contributes to and benefits from Zimbabwe’s tourism growth.
“We strive for inclusivity, leaving no place or no person behind, as Your Excellency inspires us daily. Zimbabwe boasts diverse tourism regions, each with unique natural and cultural heritage assets. Our inaugural rotational approach, launched today in Mutare, the heart of the Eastern Highlands, highlights Manicaland’s rich endowment of tourism attractions, rivalling Victoria Falls. We aim to promote and grow Manicaland’s tourism potential.”
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza highlighted the diversity of attractions in the province, including the misty mountains of Nyanga, pristine forests of Vumba, and the cultural and natural heritage of Chimanimani and Chipinge.
Minister Mugadza expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for Government’s devolution thrust, which enabled Manicaland to host the global tourism Expo.
“We are truly grateful to you, Your Excellency, for your visionary devolution agenda, which has empowered Manicaland to host this prestigious event. We appreciate your astute leadership and vision, ensuring our province remains integral to the country’s development agenda,” he said.
As envisioned, the initiative yielded the desired outcome.
Buyers from across the globe flocked to Mutare, and the event proved to be a resounding success, with many expressing keen interest in incorporating Manicaland and its diverse tourism offerings into their packages.
Mrs Wame Nareetsile, representative of Explore Africa Travels (Botswana), whose firm has specialised in tourism products across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius, Kenya, and Tanzania for the past three years, said:
“The Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism
Expo in Mutare has been a revelation for us. As a Botswana-based company, we had previously focused on tourism products in our immediate region. However, attending this Expo has opened our eyes to the potential of incorporating breath-taking destinations like Nyanga into our packages. While some facilities require upgrading, many are already well-established, making it an attractive proposition for us to initiate business partnerships.”
Similarly, Mr Pedro Ribeiro, the owner of Dunas Safari in Namibia, said:
“It was amazing to discover some of the tourism products here in this part of Zimbabwe. All along we were accustomed to
Victoria Falls and Hwange, but now we see the need to expand and cover this part of Zimbabwe when we give packages to our clients.”
Minister Rwodzi revealed that the event drew 843 companies from 23 countries, comprising both buyers and exhibitors.
The participating countries included Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, China, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Italy,
Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Furthermore, 12 local companies seized the opportunity to engage directly with international buyers, exchanging knowledge, products, and services to foster business linkages and investment opportunities.
The Expo boasted a total of 420 exhibitors, representing a diverse range of domestic and international tourism stakeholders.
