Masvingo gears up for Sanganai Tourism Expo

Masvingo is pulling out all the stops to ensure a successful hosting of the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo, with preparations gathering momentum ahead of the country's premier tourism showcase.

The 19th edition of the international tourism expo will run from 9 to 12 September, bringing together tourism operators, exhibitors, buyers, investors, policymakers and visitors from Zimbabwe and abroad. With only weeks to go, authorities and tourism stakeholders in the province are intensifying preparations to ensure Masvingo is ready to showcase its tourism potential to the world.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority says this year's expo will place particular emphasis on Masvingo's adventure tourism offerings and investment opportunities, giving the province a chance to market its major attractions to international markets. Masvingo is home to some of Zimbabwe's most important heritage, wildlife and natural tourism assets, including the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site, Gonarezhou National Park, Lake Mutirikwi and Tugwi‑Mukosi Dam.

The hosting of Sanganai is expected to go beyond the four‑day exhibition, with tourism players hoping to use the event to create new business partnerships, attract investment and increase visitor numbers. Preparations have reached an advanced stage, with stakeholders working to ensure the city has adequate accommodation and services for the expected influx of visitors.

Accommodation has emerged as a key area of focus, with major hotels in Masvingo reporting high occupancy levels ahead of the event. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has also been registering suitable private homes to complement existing facilities.

The expo will be hosted at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre along the Masvingo–Bulawayo highway. The venue is expected to provide space for exhibitions, business engagements and other activities linked to the tourism showcase.

Visitors can expect a combination of business, tourism, culture and entertainment during the four‑day event. The programme will include conference sessions, business‑to‑business engagements, exhibitions and opportunities for the public to interact with tourism operators and discover products and destinations from across Zimbabwe and the region.

The official Sanganai platform says the expo gives exhibitors an opportunity to showcase their products and services while creating opportunities to meet tourism buyers, investors and other players from across the world. For Masvingo, the event presents an opportunity to put its heritage and adventure tourism products firmly on the international map.

Tourism businesses in the province are expected to showcase accommodation, tour packages, cultural experiences, heritage sites, wildlife attractions, food and other products capable of attracting both domestic and international tourists.

The event also comes at a time when Government is seeking to spread the economic benefits of major national events to provinces outside traditional tourism centres. The hosting of Sanganai in Masvingo is therefore being viewed as more than just a tourism exhibition. It is an opportunity for local businesses and communities to benefit from increased visitor numbers while exposing investors and international tourism buyers to opportunities available in the province.

As Masvingo puts the final pieces together, expectations are high that this year's Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo will leave a lasting footprint on the province's tourism industry and further strengthen its position as one of Zimbabwe's leading heritage and adventure tourism destinations.

For the thousands expected to descend on Masvingo, the expo will offer an opportunity not only to do business, but also to experience the culture, history, natural beauty and hospitality that make the province one of Zimbabwe's key tourism destinations.

This update contributes to wider discussions around tourism investment and Masvingo adventure tourism.