Masvingo to Host Landmark 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo as Zimbabwe Decentralises Tourism

MASVINGO — The 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo is officially scheduled to take place from 9 to 12 September 2026, marking a historic departure from its traditional hosting setups in Harare and Bulawayo as the premier travel trade show moves to Masvingo Province for the first time. Organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the event serves as a critical platform to showcase the diverse and exceptional tourism offerings found across Africa, with this year's relocation representing a strategic shift in the country's tourism development approach.

By shifting the expo to Masvingo, the government is actively fulfilling its strategic mandate to promote regional tourism devolution, ensuring that the economic benefits of business tourism are distributed beyond the capital and directly empowering local communities and hospitality operators. The strategic relocation underscores a national commitment to identifying and developing unique geographic clusters as competitive travel destinations, with the decentralisation policy designed to spread tourism revenue across all provinces rather than concentrating it in traditional urban hubs.

Central to this year's agenda is a deliberate focus on highlighting Masvingo's prominent heritage landmarks and adventure tourism offerings, with delegates enjoying unparalleled proximity to the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site, a monumental stone city that stands as a testament to Africa's rich historical civilisation. Beyond archaeology, the expo aims to spotlight investment opportunities in water sports, wildlife conservation, and infrastructure surrounding Lake Mutirikwi, positioning Masvingo as a comprehensive destination for both cultural and adventure tourism.

To comfortably accommodate the influx of local and global trade professionals, organisers have secured the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre at Zimre Park along the Masvingo-Bulawayo Highway (A9) as the primary venue, providing the necessary space and modern amenities required to host large-scale corporate exhibitions. The venue's strategic positioning ensures efficient transit for attendees travelling between local hotels and the exhibition halls, addressing logistical concerns that have previously challenged large-scale events in regional locations.

The 2026 expo is generating substantial international interest, drawing key industry stakeholders, international visitors, and global media, with registration trends indicating high participation rates as approximately 392 registered exhibiting companies rapidly fill the designated floor space. The confirmation of 133 international buyers represents a sharp 49.4 percent surge compared to previous editions, signalling renewed global confidence in Zimbabwe's tourism products and the country's ability to host world-class events beyond its traditional metropolitan centres.

Recognising the logistical demands of an international event, the transport sector has mobilised significant resources to ensure seamless connectivity, with Air Zimbabwe introducing dedicated direct flight schedules linking Harare to Masvingo for the duration of the expo to cut down travel time for arriving delegates. Concurrently, major marketing partnerships with regional carriers like Fastjet Zimbabwe are actively running to promote the expo in-flight and provide flexible booking solutions for international travellers.

For corporate entities looking to secure last-minute exhibition space, the ZTA National Convention Bureau has established direct communication channels, with prospective exhibitors able to access official documentation via the ZTA digital portal.

International buyers and travel agents aiming to network with African operators are being managed by a dedicated hospitality desk, with targeted B2B matchmaking sessions structured throughout the four-day event to pair buyers with specific product segments such as eco-tourism or luxury safaris.

Ultimately, the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo marks a pivotal turning point for Masvingo Province, repositioning it as a viable hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) while demonstrating Zimbabwe's capacity to host world-class trade shows in diverse regional environments. The long-term economic spillover is expected to drive infrastructure upgrades and sustain tourism growth long after the expo concludes, cementing the country's reputation as a versatile and welcoming destination for international business tourism.