Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
PREPARATIONS for the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbabwe World Tourism Expo are gathering momentum, with Masvingo Province intensifying readiness to host the country’s flagship tourism showcases from 9-12 September.
The annual expo, which has become Zimbabwe’s premier international tourism exhibition, plays a critical role in marketing the country as a competitive global destination, driving investment, facilitating business-to-business engagements and supporting inclusive economic growth anchored on the tourism sector.
Tourism remains one of Zimbabwe’s key economic pillars, contributing significantly to Gross Domestic Product, employment creation and foreign currency generation, while stimulating value chains in transport, hospitality, arts, culture and manufacturing.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi has met key stakeholders in Masvingo Province as preparations gather pace.
“In line with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa’s Devolution Agenda of ‘leaving no one and no place behind’, preparations for the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbabwe World Tourism Expo are gathering momentum as the Minister Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi, met key stakeholders in Masvingo Province,” the Ministry said in an update.
“The Minister emphasised the strategic decision to devolve the Tourism Expo as part of achieving Vision 2030 and the Economic transformation blueprint under NDS2, ensuring that major National Tourism events stimulate growth across all Provinces.
“She highlighted Masvingo as a destination of National pride, anchored by the iconic Great Zimbabwe, the historic birthplace of the Nation.”
The decision to rotate the hosting of the expo across provinces is in line with the Second Republic’s devolution agenda, which seeks to ensure that major national events catalyse infrastructure development, enterprise growth and job creation at provincial level.
Masvingo, home to the Great Zimbabwe Monument — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is expected to leverage the expo to showcase its rich heritage tourism offerings, cultural assets and emerging hospitality investments.
“Minister Rwodzi stressed the need to leverage such heritage assets to maintain Zimbabwe’s global standing, including its recognition by Forbes as the World’s Number One Must-Visit Destination in 2025, while also commending the Government of France for supporting Infrastructure improvements at Great Zimbabwe the UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the Ministry added.
The expo is expected to attract international buyers, investors, exhibitors and media from across the globe, further cementing Zimbabwe’s position as a leading tourism destination in Africa.
By hosting the exhibition in Masvingo, Government is also positioning heritage tourism as a cornerstone of the country’s diversification strategy, while creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises, community tourism operators and local authorities to participate in the mainstream tourism economy.
In attendance at the preparatory meeting were Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tongai Mnangagwa and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr George Manyaya.
Last year, the exhibition was successfully hosted in Mutare, underscoring Government’s commitment to spreading the economic benefits of tourism across the country.
Masvingo is also poised to deliver a successful edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbabwe World Tourism Expo, further reinforcing tourism’s role as a strategic driver towards Vision 2030.
