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Sanganai/Hlanganani 2027 heads to Kariba as Rwodzi announces rotation to unlock Zambezi tourism circuit
02 Sep 2026 at 21:09hrs |
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HARARE - Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has announced that the 2027 edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo will be hosted in Kariba, marking a strategic rotation aimed at unlocking the Zambezi tourism circuit and dispersing tourism benefits across Zimbabwe’s provinces.
Speaking to journalists in Harare, Rwodzi said rotating the country’s premier B2B travel‑trade expo was part of Government’s plan to decentralise tourism products, strengthen circuit development and optimise destination dispersal. “Rotating Sanganai allows us to market different tourism circuits and spread the economic benefits of tourism,” she said.
She said the move would showcase the diversity of Brand Zimbabwe, adding: “From the Great Zimbabwe to the Mighty Zambezi, we are showcasing the diversity of Brand Zimbabwe. Kariba 2027 will put our lake, wildlife and adventure product on the global MICE and leisure map.”
Rwodzi said hosting the expo in Kariba complements Government’s devolution agenda and ongoing ease‑of‑doing‑business reforms in tourism. “This rotation ensures that tourism receipts, FDI and infrastructure development are not concentrated in one region,” she said. “It gives SMEs, community tourism enterprises and destination management companies in Mashonaland West an opportunity to plug into the global value chain.”
She noted that hosting Sanganai in different provinces acts as a catalyst for infrastructure upgrades, airlift development and last‑mile connectivity — all critical for improving Zimbabwe’s tourism competitiveness. Rwodzi credited a whole‑of‑government approach for enabling improved road networks, ICT connectivity and service delivery in secondary and tertiary destinations.
“This collaborative governance model has enabled convenience and accessibility to destinations once considered inaccessible. Tourists can now do multi‑destination packaging with ease — from cultural tourism at Great Zimbabwe to lake and safari experiences in Kariba,” she said.
Rwodzi said the approach had strengthened public‑private partnerships, inter‑ministerial coordination and destination stewardship, ensuring Sanganai becomes a legacy tourism development tool rather than a three‑day event.
Tourism industry players described Kariba as an ideal host due to its houseboat product, sport fishing, game viewing and conferencing facilities. Analysts say the move will boost forward bookings, DMC packaging and regional source‑market penetration for the Zambezi River Basin circuit, while giving international buyers first‑hand exposure to Zimbabwe’s eco‑tourism and adventure offerings.
“Kariba 2027 will be about experiential tourism,” Rwodzi said. “We want buyers to leave with signed contracts, and leave with memories that turn them into Brand Zimbabwe ambassadors.”
The 2026 edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe will be held in Masvingo, the Heritage City.
This development feeds into broader national conversations around tourism circuit development and destination competitiveness.
Speaking to journalists in Harare, Rwodzi said rotating the country’s premier B2B travel‑trade expo was part of Government’s plan to decentralise tourism products, strengthen circuit development and optimise destination dispersal. “Rotating Sanganai allows us to market different tourism circuits and spread the economic benefits of tourism,” she said.
She said the move would showcase the diversity of Brand Zimbabwe, adding: “From the Great Zimbabwe to the Mighty Zambezi, we are showcasing the diversity of Brand Zimbabwe. Kariba 2027 will put our lake, wildlife and adventure product on the global MICE and leisure map.”
Rwodzi said hosting the expo in Kariba complements Government’s devolution agenda and ongoing ease‑of‑doing‑business reforms in tourism. “This rotation ensures that tourism receipts, FDI and infrastructure development are not concentrated in one region,” she said. “It gives SMEs, community tourism enterprises and destination management companies in Mashonaland West an opportunity to plug into the global value chain.”
She noted that hosting Sanganai in different provinces acts as a catalyst for infrastructure upgrades, airlift development and last‑mile connectivity — all critical for improving Zimbabwe’s tourism competitiveness. Rwodzi credited a whole‑of‑government approach for enabling improved road networks, ICT connectivity and service delivery in secondary and tertiary destinations.
“This collaborative governance model has enabled convenience and accessibility to destinations once considered inaccessible. Tourists can now do multi‑destination packaging with ease — from cultural tourism at Great Zimbabwe to lake and safari experiences in Kariba,” she said.
Rwodzi said the approach had strengthened public‑private partnerships, inter‑ministerial coordination and destination stewardship, ensuring Sanganai becomes a legacy tourism development tool rather than a three‑day event.
Tourism industry players described Kariba as an ideal host due to its houseboat product, sport fishing, game viewing and conferencing facilities. Analysts say the move will boost forward bookings, DMC packaging and regional source‑market penetration for the Zambezi River Basin circuit, while giving international buyers first‑hand exposure to Zimbabwe’s eco‑tourism and adventure offerings.
“Kariba 2027 will be about experiential tourism,” Rwodzi said. “We want buyers to leave with signed contracts, and leave with memories that turn them into Brand Zimbabwe ambassadors.”
The 2026 edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe will be held in Masvingo, the Heritage City.
This development feeds into broader national conversations around tourism circuit development and destination competitiveness.
Source - Byo24news
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