Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe in Masvingo
LOCAL food traders are cashing in on the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo, with some vendors reporting brisk sales while others sold out of food stocks on the opening day as the influx of visitors turned Masvingo’s traditional cuisine into a thriving tourism business.
The surge in spending is providing an immediate income boost to small businesses while highlighting the growing economic potential of gastronomy tourism under the Culture and Heritage Tourism Cluster.
Tertiary institutions, individual traders and religious organisations are manning food stalls at the expo.
One trader, Ms Fidess Katsande from J5 Gastronomy Hub in Shamva, said the volume of customers had translated into significantly higher takings than on an ordinary trading day.
“Business has been very good since the morning. People have been coming in groups and ordering traditional meals, snacks and drinks. We did not expect such a big response, but we are happy because Sanganai has given us an opportunity to make money,” she said.
She said gastronomy was empowering women to become financially self-sufficient rather than being solely dependent on their husbands.
Another vendor said demand was so strong that she exhausted some of her supplies on the first day.
“I actually ran out of some of my food on the first day. We had to prepare more because customers kept coming.
“This shows us that there is a ready market for our traditional food when tourism events bring people together,” she said.
An entrepreneur, Mrs Kimeon, said the expo was creating business prospects beyond immediate sales.
“Gastronomy has taught us to be innovative and utilise wild fruits to produce various products.
“We are not only selling food; we are meeting people from different parts of Zimbabwe and outside the country. Some customers have asked where they can find us after Sanganai, so this can create business beyond the expo,” she said.
The strong trading activity demonstrates the multiplier effect of tourism events, with increased visitor spending filtering through to food producers, farmers, transport operators, retailers and accommodation providers.
Under the Culture and Heritage Tourism Cluster, gastronomy is emerging as an important tourism product, allowing communities to commercialise indigenous foods, culinary traditions and locally sourced products.
Sanganai is creating a marketplace where the province’s culture and heritage are being converted into income, enterprise and livelihoods.
The development dovetails with Government’s thrust to ensure communities become active participants and beneficiaries of the tourism value chain.
