By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — For centuries, the ancient stone walls of Great Zimbabwe have stood as a testament to the ingenuity of Africa’s ancestors.
This September, they will also stand as the backdrop for one of the continent’s premier tourism expos.
As Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe makes its debut in Masvingo, the iconic heritage site is being positioned not just as a tourist attraction, but as a centrepiece of Zimbabwe’s heritage tourism strategy.
The Great Zimbabwe Visitor Centre will host the welcome cocktail for international buyers and tour operators, providing an immersive experience at one of Africa’s most iconic heritage sites.
For the first time, international tourism players will have the opportunity to experience the majestic monument as part of the official Expo programme.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi said the choice of Great Zimbabwe as a welcome venue underscores the importance of heritage tourism to Zimbabwe’s broader tourism offering.
While Great Zimbabwe provides the province with an internationally recognised heritage tourism brand, Masvingo’s tourism offering extends far beyond the ancient stone city.
The province is also home to Lake Mutirikwi, cultural experiences, natural attractions, and strategic access routes to Gonarezhou National Park.
Tourism stakeholders say the challenge and opportunity lie in packaging these assets into integrated tourism circuits that encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more, and make return visits. Sanganai provides an ideal platform to achieve that objective.
“Sanganai gives us a very important platform to showcase what Masvingo has to offer to the international tourism market,” said tourism player Dzingai Mutasa.
“We should not look at the expo simply as an event where we put up our stands, but as an opportunity to meet buyers, network with other tourism players and build relationships that can translate into business”.
The Expo is expected to attract 89 international buyers who have already confirmed participation, bringing together key tourism markets from Australia, China, Japan, India, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.
Delegations are also expected from neighbouring countries, including Namibia, Zambia, and Malawi.
“This is the time for tourism players in Masvingo to come out and showcase their products and experiences,” said tourism operator Arnold Moyo.
“We have Great Zimbabwe, Lake Mutirikwi and a wide range of cultural and natural attractions but these products need to be marketed consistently to the right markets”.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority marketing division representative Arvil Chimedza encouraged local operators to prepare marketing materials and leverage digital platforms to maximise the opportunity.
“Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo is a global platform that attracts the best in the sector. Therefore, it is a platform that offers a gateway to growth, a platform for showcasing products and services, networking and expanding markets,” she said.
The hosting of the welcome cocktail at Great Zimbabwe sends a clear signal about the importance of heritage tourism in Zimbabwe’s national tourism strategy.
For Masvingo, the Expo represents an opportunity to convert international exposure into bookings, partnerships, and investment commitments.
Sanganai provides a critical platform for forging strategic partnerships, attracting investment, and expanding market access for local tourism businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises.
As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to grow inbound tourism and increase the sector’s contribution to economic development, Great Zimbabwe’s role as a heritage anchor will only grow in significance.
#GreatZimbabwe #Sanganai2026 #HeritageTourism #Masvingo #ZimbabweTourism
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