By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — Sports tourism is emerging as one of the key drivers of domestic and international tourism, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tongai Mnangagwa has said, highlighting its growing contribution to Zimbabwe’s tourism economy.
In an interciew after teeing off at the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Golf Tournament at Masvingo Golf Club on Friday, where he represented Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said sports tourism attracts large numbers of visitors because teams are often accompanied by supporters.
“We spent a whole week before Sanganai started here in Masvingo.
“We conducted a big tournament and festival, where we called in all the tertiary institutions. They came in, they competed, and people came in their thousands,” he said.
“People were looking for accommodation, people were looking for food, people were looking for ways to go out and shop. All that helps the economy turn.”
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said sports tourism has the potential to generate significant visitor numbers because supporters travel to follow their teams and attend major sporting events.
“On the final, we invited the national teams. They also attracted a number of people who came in because they wanted to see what the result was going to be,” he said.
“So sports tourism is a leading cluster in promoting tourism.”
He also highlighted the completion of a cricket stadium in Victoria Falls, which he said would host World Cup matches for both junior and senior competitions.
“That’s going to draw the whole world. People will travel from as far as India and the United States to come and spend time in Zimbabwe because of sports tourism,” he said.
More facilities needed
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa called for increased investment in sports facilities across the country to strengthen sports tourism and encourage domestic travel.
“Where we have people competing in Marondera, people can go to Marondera for volleyball. They can go for another sport in Hwange. They can go for tennis in Chikangwe,” he said.
“But the facilities need to be there, and we need to work closely with the Ministry of Sports to help put those facilities up.”
The Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Golf Tournament forms part of the sports tourism programme at this year’s Expo, which runs until Saturday at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre in Masvingo.
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