Hotels fully booked ahead of Sanganai

Major hotels in Masvingo are already recording occupancy levels of between 80 and 100 percent ahead of the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbabwe World Tourism Expo, prompting the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to begin registering private homes to help meet expected accommodation demand.

The country's premier tourism exhibition is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 12, 2026, in Masvingo Province and is expected to attract thousands of local and international delegates, tourism operators, investors and buyers.

Speaking on preparations for the event, Bridgette Shambare said the authority will begin registering suitable private homes within the next two weeks to supplement existing accommodation facilities.

"Most of the major hotels in Masvingo are already between 80 and 100 percent booked for the Sanganai period. The registration of private homes is therefore meant to complement and boost the available accommodation capacity," said Shambare.

She explained that only homeowners who meet prescribed accommodation standards will qualify to participate in the programme.

According to ZTA, participating properties must meet minimum requirements, including adequate lighting, cleanliness and suitable living conditions. Homeowners with houses comprising at least three bedrooms will be eligible to apply.

Shambare said successful applicants will be issued with temporary licences valid only for the duration of the tourism expo.

The initiative is expected not only to ease accommodation shortages but also to provide residents with an opportunity to benefit directly from increased tourism activity during the event.

"Those with houses that have three bedrooms and above are eligible to apply," she said.

Masvingo currently boasts more than 150 registered tourism facilities, with additional establishments continuing to be registered as the province prepares to host the high-profile event.

Meanwhile, preparations for the expo venue are progressing, with development works already underway at the Gymkhana Site, a new 14-hectare open space situated along the Bulawayo Road, approximately four kilometres from Masvingo's central business district.

The Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbabwe World Tourism Expo is Zimbabwe's flagship annual tourism showcase, bringing together stakeholders from across the global tourism value chain to promote investment, partnerships and destination marketing opportunities.

This year's edition represents a significant opportunity for Masvingo Province to showcase its tourism assets, including the nearby Great Zimbabwe National Monument, while stimulating local business activity and attracting investment into the region.

Industry stakeholders expect the event to generate substantial economic benefits for accommodation providers, transport operators, restaurants, retailers and other businesses as visitor numbers increase during the four-day exhibition.

With hotel bookings already approaching full capacity several months before the event, organisers are optimistic that the 2026 edition will be one of the largest and most successful tourism expos hosted in Zimbabwe in recent years.