Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe in Masvingo
SPORTS tourism is emerging as a major driver of Zimbabwe’s domestic and international tourism growth, with Government calling for increased investment in sporting facilities to unlock the sector’s revenue potential.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Tongai Mnangagwa said sports tourism had the capacity to attract visitors from across the world while also encouraging Zimbabweans to travel within the country.
He said this after teeing off at the Sanganai Tourism Expo golf tournament in Masvingo on Friday morning.
“When it comes to sports tourism, it is actually one of the top drivers of domestic tourism, even international tourism,” said Deputy Minister Mnangagwa.
He said Government had already demonstrated the importance it attached to sports tourism through events held ahead of Sanganai, which brought together tertiary institutions.
“We spent a whole week before Sanganai started and we conducted a big, big festival where we called in all the tertiary institutions,” he said.
“So sports tourism is a leading cluster in promoting tourism.
“As we all know, we are building a cricket stadium in Victoria Falls, the World Cup is coming and that’s going to draw the whole world.
“People will be watching, people will travel from as far as India and the United States to come and spend time in Zimbabwe because of sports tourism.
“So it is a driver and more facilities need to be put up across the country to stimulate sports tourism.”
The development of sporting infrastructure, he said, would complement Zimbabwe’s tourism attractions by creating additional reasons for visitors to travel to and stay in the country.
The Victoria Falls cricket stadium is expected to strengthen the resort city’s capacity to host major international sporting events, positioning sport alongside wildlife, heritage and adventure tourism as a key attraction.
Government has identified sports tourism as one of the clusters with significant potential to broaden tourism products, increase visitor spending and spread tourism benefits across different destinations.
