Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Tourism Correspondent
WHILE it is no longer breaking news that Manicaland will host the prestigious Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo in September, the million-dollar question lingers — is the province truly ready to welcome the world?
As Zimbabwe’s third-largest province prepares to take centre stage for one of Africa’s premier tourism showcases, the spotlight is now on Manicaland’s capacity to deliver.
With its awe-inspiring natural beauty, from the misty peaks of the Eastern Highlands to the untamed charm of Nyanga and Chimanimani, Manicaland is undoubtedly rich in attractions.
But beyond the scenic splendor, does the province boast enough accommodation, infrastructure, and hospitality services to meet the expectations of international guests, investors, and industry giants?
Local tourism players and business leaders have expressed optimism, saying Manicaland is, not only ready, but also ideal to host the global event.
With the countdown officially underway, the focus shifts from potential to preparedness — can Manicaland rise to the occasion and leave a lasting impression on the global tourism map?
Last year’s event held in Bulawayo saw a total of 408 companies from African and European countries exhibiting their tourism products and services, with international buyers, investors and service providers building synergies and strategic partnerships.
The Expo ran under the theme: “Unlocking Tourism Investment Opportunities for Local Economic Development.”
The number of international exhibitors who attended the event last year rose to more than 40, up from 34 that attended in 2023.
More than 420 exhibitors (combined) were recorded last year.
The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) masterclass has always been a key highlight at the Expo as the event brings together MICE experts from across Africa to deliberate on pertinent issues regarding MICE tourism development and growth.
MICE tourism — which encompasses business travel for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions — is fast emerging as a significant and growing segment within Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
This year’s event is expected to draw even a larger number.
Tourism and hospitality expert, Mr Willard Madhombiro expressed confidence in Manicaland’s ability to accommodate the influx of guests expected for the expo. He highlighted that the province’s diverse districts — including Mutare, Vumba, Nyanga, Rusape, Chipinge, and Chimanimani — offer a rich array of tourism packages, with accommodation options to match.
“Manicaland is more than ready in terms of accommodation. We have the capacity to host both VVIPs and VIPs, thanks to internationally branded hotels such as Holiday Inn and Troutbeck Inn. Golden Peacock Hotel currently has the largest room inventory in the province, and is well-positioned to cater to a variety of market needs.
“The rise of Airbnb has significantly boosted our room capacity, allowing us to accommodate even more guests attending the Expo. Additionally, home-based hospitality presents another exciting opportunity. Zimbabwe Tourism Authority may consider inspecting privately owned homes that could be made available to visitors during the event. Some peri-urban areas could also be explored for this purpose, offering guests more options and ensuring everyone enjoys comfortable, decent lodging.
“Guests can be comfortably accommodated, not only in Mutare, but also in surrounding towns such as Rusape, Chimanimani, Nyanga, Honde Valley, Vumba and Chipinge — all of which are within reasonable distance,” he added.
Tourism and hospitality consultant and Elephant Lodges general manager, Mr Adonis Mutigwe said Manicaland is more than ready to host an event of such international magnitude.
“This Expo will serve as a vital barometer for the province — a true test of our readiness to operate on a global tourism stage.”
He said the Expo will, not only be a boost for tourism in Manicaland, but is a catalyst for widespread economic benefits across multiple sectors.
“Accommodation has always been the Achilles’ Heel of the tourism and hospitality sector in Manicaland, and this event will undoubtedly expose those gaps. However, it also presents a massive opportunity. There is need for current players to collaborate and adopt a collective hosting approach.
“Every habitable space — from bush tents to educational institutions — should be considered, and investment in new facilities should be prioritised. This is Manicaland’s moment to shine. The exposure will unveil the province’s hidden treasures and help rebrand it as a top-tier tourist destination. It is time for the world to experience the warmth and charm of true ‘Manyika Hospitality.”
“This is more than just a tourism opportunity — it will create downstream benefits for virtually every business in the province. Already, we are seeing tourism operators upgrading their hotels and lodges, which is enhancing the overall quality of tourism products in the region. This kind of investment will inevitably boost revenue generation and position Manicaland to significantly contribute to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
He said, as an international exhibition, the Expo is expected to generate the much-needed foreign currency and increase tourism receipts, with many international guests likely to visit major attractions such as Mutarazi Falls, Nyachowa, Chimanimani Mountains, and Vumba.
“This is a milestone moment, and for the first time, Manicaland is hosting such a large-scale MICE event. The benefits will extend to a wide range of stakeholders, from vendors and car rental services to retail businesses and accommodation providers. We are excited and honoured to be the host province.”
Tourism and hospitality lecturer, Dr Godfrey Makandwa said while Manicaland boasts of excellent and sufficient accommodation facilities, there is a pressing need for a more coordinated approach to promotion and stakeholder engagement.
“We have adequate and high-quality accommodation options. But these need to be marketed in a unified and strategic manner to ensure maximum visibility and utilisation during the Expo.”
He underscored the importance of involving non-tourism stakeholders and equipping them with the knowledge to tap into the opportunities presented by the event.
“There is a real need to educate other sectors, from transport and catering to retail and community services, on how they can participate in and benefit from the Expo. This kind of cross-sector engagement will multiply the impact of the Expo,” he said.
Dr Makandwa also called for capacity-building initiatives ahead of the event.
“Training programmes focused on service excellence and product development will go a long way in raising standards and delivering world-class experience. With increased tourist arrivals expected, this is the perfect time to elevate our offerings,” he said, adding that the Expo will, not only market Manicaland as a premier destination, but also spotlight its rich cultural heritage.
“Visitors will have the chance to explore our unique heritage sites such as Dzapasi Liberation Heritage Site in Buhera, which holds immense historical value. Moreover, the event will open doors for new tourism investments and drive sustainable growth in the province,” he added.
For the first time since the inception of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Expo, all the 10 fully-fledged local authorities in Manicaland in last year’s edition exhibited under one roof, jointly packaging and marketing tourism assets and heritage in the province.
The local authorities that exhibited at the Expo include Mutare City Council, Rusape Town Council, Chipinge Town Council, Makoni Rural District Council, Nyanga Rural District Council, Buhera Rural District Council, Mutasa Rural District Council, Chimanimani Rural District Council, Mutare Rural District Council and Chipinge Rural District Council.
At the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe Nyanga stand, tourism and accommodation facilities — Montclair Hotel, Brondesbury Hotel and ZimParks also joined hands to exhibit tourism products found in their area, schooling visitors on scenic aspects of Nyanga Mountain, Nyangombe Falls, World’s View, Mutarazi Falls, Gairezi River and Nyanga National Park — home to wild animals like wildebeest, impala, eland, waterbuck, scrub hare, common duiker, stable antelope and zebra.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Honourable Babra Rwodzi at last year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo said there is a growing consumer demand for sustainable experiences as travellers are becoming more conscious of their environmental footprint, and are actively seeking out eco-friendly accommodation, tour packages, and destinations.
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