SPORTS TOURISM + INFRASTRUCTURE LEGACY PROJECTED TO BOOST MASVINGO ECONOMY

Sanganai 2026 marks a new chapter for Zimbabwe tourism with the formal integration of Sports Tourism, expected to stimulate domestic travel and increase destination visibility during the September programme.

Deputy Minister Hon. Tongai Mnangagwa officially opened the September Sports Tourism Carnival on 1 September 2026 at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo. The Carnival features soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball, golf, marathon, tennis, pool and rugby.

"This approach recognises the growing linkages between tourism and sport and provides an opportunity to use sporting events to stimulate domestic travel, attract visitors, increase destination visibility and diversify Zimbabwe’s tourism offering." The Carnival will culminate in the Sports Tourism Awards Ceremony on 4 September 2026.

The economic impact is projected to be immediate. The Expo is "an important instrument of economic transformation" with increased exhibitors, buyers and visitors expected to drive demand across accommodation, transport, food and entertainment.

Government has also delivered an infrastructure legacy in Masvingo. Interventions include the refurbishment of Masvingo Airport, undertaken with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development through the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, plus construction of a restaurant, offices and ablution facilities.

Hon. Rwodsi commended the coordinated effort: “This is a clear demonstration of the value of coordinated Government action and the power of a whole-of-Government approach in unlocking tourism-led economic development, strengthening connectivity, improving infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for the growth of our tourism sector.”

The Ministry of Transport is also supporting refurbishment of the road leading to the Expo venue and the airport access road. These works aim to “improve accessibility, enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Masvingo’s capacity to host future tourism, business and investment events.”

With World Tourism Day themed “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism", and the Expo running alongside, Rwodsi said the month-long programme is “creating platforms to attract investment, expand markets, promote domestic tourism, empower communities and strengthen the tourism value chain.”