Zimbabwe’s premier tourism expo, Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe, has attracted 392 exhibitors ahead of its September 9 opening in Masvingo. International buyer registrations have surged 49% year-on-year to 133, signaling growing confidence in the destination. The expo remains a key platform for post-pandemic tourism recovery, though challenges like currency volatility and visa bottlenecks persist.
Tourism News
Zimbabwe's most significant tourism stories — ranked by impact, not recency. Tap the on any story to read its summary and sources.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation signed a management agreement with Albwardy Investments to debut the Grand Hyatt brand in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Gazette reported that the luxury brand will take over and extensively renovate the closed Kingdom Hotel in Victoria Falls, with an expected opening in late 2027. The property closed previously due to lease disputes and economic instability, leaving a prime tourism asset vacant. This high-profile entry signals renewed international investor confidence in Zimbabwe's luxury hospitality sector. However, the project's long-term viability remains vulnerable to the country's unpredictable currency fluctuations and infrastructure deficits.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority launched the registration of private homes to accommodate delegates for the upcoming 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo. A report by NewsDay confirmed that participating homeowners must pay a fifty-dollar registration and temporary licensing fee to qualify for this program. This initiative follows chronic hotel room shortages during previous editions of the annual tourism showcase, which previously relied solely on commercial hotels. Homeowners must now meet strict hospitality standards and undergo rapid security inspections before the prestigious expo begins. Consequently, the authority faces the immediate challenge of auditing hundreds of private properties to ensure guest safety and maintain international hospitality standards.