Staff Writer
September is set to become a permanent fixture on Zimbabwe’s sports tourism calendar, with the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, announcing that the September Sports Tourism Carnival will now be held annually.
Minister Rwodzi made the announcement in Masvingo as the Ministry hosted a golf tournament at Masvingo Golf Club, bringing together golfers, tourism stakeholders and other industry players as part of efforts to promote the province and strengthen domestic tourism.
The official tee-off was performed by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, alongside Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tongai Mnangagwa.
Minister Rwodzi said the decision to make the carnival an annual event was part of efforts to deliberately position sport as a key driver of tourism and economic activity.
She said the inaugural September Sports Tourism Carnival had demonstrated the potential of sporting activities to attract visitors, create business opportunities and showcase Zimbabwe’s tourism destinations.
“September is now going to be a permanent fixture on our tourism calendar through the September Sports Tourism Carnival,” Minister Rwodzi said.
She said the carnival would provide an opportunity to integrate sporting activities with tourism promotion, while encouraging Zimbabweans to explore destinations within the country.
“Sports tourism gives us an opportunity to bring people together while showcasing our destinations, culture, hospitality and tourism products,” she said.
Speaking after the tee-off, Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said sports tourism was becoming an important driver of tourism because sporting events attracted both participants and supporters.
He said visitors attending sporting events created demand for accommodation, food, shopping, transport and other tourism-related services.
The Deputy Minister said activities held ahead of the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo had attracted thousands of people to Masvingo, highlighting the wider economic benefits of sports tourism.
The golf tournament later culminated in an awards ceremony, followed by the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo after-party, where Minister Rwodzi joined exhibitors, international buyers and members of the media for an evening of celebration, networking and entertainment.
The inaugural September Sports Tourism Carnival has consequently laid the foundation for an annual programme aimed at using sport to promote destinations, stimulate domestic travel and unlock new opportunities for Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
