President ED Showcases Manicaland’s Hidden Gems

 President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa on Wednesday officially opened the 18th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo in Mutare, marking the first time the flagship trade showcase has been hosted outside Bulawayo.

The event, running under the theme “Devolving Sustainable Tourism Development: Our Future,” reflects government’s Devolution Policy and aims to spotlight the Eastern Highlands as a premier tourism destination.

“This Tourism Expo is where culture meets commerce, nature meets innovation, and where Zimbabwe positions itself as a premier tourism destination,” President Mnangagwa said.

 

He emphasised that Zimbabwe’s tourism sector contributed 15% to GDP in 2024, citing the growth of rural, eco, and community-based tourism initiatives that balance economic opportunities with environmental and cultural preservation.

The President also hailed the Expo’s role in driving Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE)tourism, describing it as proof of Zimbabwe’s ability to host world-class events.

The relocation to Manicaland has shone a spotlight on the province’s natural beauty. “Nyanga’s misty mountains, Vumba’s lush forests, and Chimanimani’s dramatic landscapes have long been Zimbabwe’s hidden gems, which are now being unveiled to the world,” Mnangagwa said.

More than 20 international tourism companies, along with SMEs and youth innovators, are participating in this year’s Expo. The President urged them to seize opportunities to develop market-driven products that draw on Zimbabwe’s heritage and natural environment.

“The success of the Expo will be measured by contracts signed, itineraries launched, investments secured, jobs created and stories shared long after the Expo ends,” he said.

Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, hails the Expo for boosting the province’s tourism profile to ‘Cloud 9

 

Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution,  Misheck Mugadza, said the Expo had elevated the province’s tourism profile to “Cloud 9.”

“The pressure we have is to keep up the momentum. With the whole-of-government approach under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, we are confident that facilities will continue to grow and improve,” Mugadza said.

 

He noted growing interest in transport infrastructure, saying: “Everyone loves the plane, everyone loves to use the train. The indications are positive, and that shows the strides we have made.”

The Expo continues through the week, with government and stakeholders expressing confidence it will cement Zimbabwe’s status as one of Southern Africa’s leading tourism destinations.