Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe in MUTARE
A MOMENTOUS chapter in Zimbabwe’s tourism journey unfolds today as the 18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo officially opens in Mutare, marking the first time the prestigious event graces Manicaland Province.
Running from September 10 to 12 at the Mutare Sports Club, the internationally acclaimed expo has transformed the eastern border city into a vibrant epicentre of global tourism exchange, drawing thousands of delegates, investors, international buyers and exhibitors from across the continent and beyond.
Held under the theme: “Devolving Sustainable Tourism Development – Our Future,” this year’s edition comes at a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s tourism resurgence, buoyed by progressive government policies and rising international confidence in Destination Zimbabwe.
Organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi has matured into Africa’s premier tourism marketplace – a vital platform for showcasing the continent’s diverse travel offerings, forging business synergies, and fostering intra-African cooperation.
The exhibition centre, Mutare Sports Club is abuzz with excitement.
By Tuesday, 83 companies from 20 countries have confirmed their participation as buyers and exhibitors.
The countries include Botswana, Ghana Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, China, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
In addition to these international participants, 12 local companies will be engaging directly with these international buyers and exchanging knowledge, products and services to foster business linkages and investment opportunities.
Overall, the Expo will feature a total of 420 exhibitors representing both domestic and international tourism stakeholders.
The 2025–2030 National Tourism and Hospitality Policy, launched recently, further underscores tourism’s centrality to Zimbabwe’s development ambitions.
The Expo, therefore, serves not only as a trade fair but as a springboard for policy engagement, investment promotion, and knowledge exchange.
This year’s rich programme includes high-level exhibitions, business-to-business networking sessions, investment roundtables, knowledge-sharing seminars, and immersive cultural showcases – all aimed at strengthening the country’s tourism value chain and attracting long-term partnerships.
A flagship highlight is the Tourism Scholastica Symposium, where leading academic institutions will interrogate cutting-edge models in tourism research, digital innovation, and sustainable development – reinforcing the integral role of education in shaping a resilient tourism future.
The Expo boasts significant international participation, with buyers confirmed from China, Indonesia, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Ghana has expressed keen interest in securing a presence within the Expo’s Gastronomy Hub, while Vhembe Municipality of South Africa is set to showcase 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), spotlighting regional entrepreneurship.
During an investment forum yesterday, delegates heard that in 2024, the country welcomed over 1.6 million international arrivals, generating more than US$1.2 billion in receipts, while attracting US$190.5 million in new investments—a seven percent increase from the previous year.
This was credited to growth to improved air connectivity, peace, stability, and aggressive destination marketing.
Sidumisile Mabena