Zimbabwe turns to sport as catalyst for tourism growth in Masvingo

Zimbabwe plans to use sport as a catalyst for tourism growth, with Masvingo set to host a series of sporting events ahead of the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo in September. This is reported by
The Herald, a TV BRICS partner.

The programme, scheduled for 1 to 4 September, is intended to demonstrate how sporting events can complement tourism development by attracting visitors, promoting destinations and creating additional opportunities for local economic activity.

The sporting programme will include football, netball, cricket, tennis, basketball, volleyball, boxing, athletics, snooker, golf and rugby. The athletics programme will feature five-kilometre, 10-kilometre and 21-kilometre races, providing opportunities for both recreational participants and competitive runners.

The initiative forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader effort to strengthen sports tourism and diversify the products available to domestic and international visitors. By bringing sporting activities into the tourism calendar, authorities aim to create new reasons for travellers to visit destinations beyond conventional leisure attractions.

Masvingo’s programme also provides an opportunity to showcase the city’s capacity to host major sporting and tourism-related events. Increased visitor numbers could generate additional demand for accommodation, food services, transport, retail and other local services, helping spread tourism-related economic activity within the destination.

Zimbabwe’s Tourism Recovery and Growth Plan has identified sports tourism as an area with significant development potential. The strategy seeks to cluster and strengthen different tourism products while creating new pathways for growth across the country.

Sport is also being positioned within the country’s wider development agenda as a link between tourism, culture and infrastructure. Under this approach, competitions and tournaments can become platforms for destination marketing while supporting local businesses and communities.