Mash East has potential to become tourism hub

MARONDERA – Mashonaland East Province is not only home to Makurumure Falls, Imire Game
Park in Wedza, Nyatana Wildlife Conservancy in Mudzi, but also boasts Gohori Resort in
Mutoko.
The UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage listed Jerusalem Mbende dance, a masterpiece in arts
and culture, also originates from this Province.
The province also has the potential to unlock religious tourism through religious shrines such as
Bernard Muzeki in Marondera and Mutemwa Prayer and Leprosy Centre in Mutoko.
Such resources must be incorporated into the countrys Tourism Policy and grow the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) for the province.
Following the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the country's tourism industry
has embarked on some robust tourism recovery strategies to regain lost markets.
speaking at a national tourism review consultation meeting in Marondera, businessman, farmer
and local Government expert Jerry Gotora said there was need for the province to exploit its
vast natural endowments and the devolution agenda to meaningfully contribute to the tourism
sector.
This province has many beautiful places that attract tourists and add to that the infrastructural
development that has been taking place courtesy of the devolution agenda spearheaded by the
Second Republic.
Zimbabwe is among the most devolved countries and the Government's inclusive system can
help the province to strengthen its tourism packages, he said.
Chido Erengwi, the provincial arts manager opined that there was need for the province to
consolidate gains that can be brought by culture tourism.
She said: We have to up our game when it comes to culture tourism. We have diverse cultures
as a province and the Jerusalem dance easily come to mind. There are also traditional foods
that can be promoted.
Secretary for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Tavabarira Kutamahufa said
the province has much potential in terms of tourism and hospitality.
We have many water bodies that can offer leisure and recreational activities when fully
developed. We have Muchekeranwa, Kunzvi and Chivhu dams, the Makurumure Falls in
Hwedza and other places of interest. There are other attractive tourism products dotted across
the province.
Mashonaland East province has seen significant growth in terms of tourism investment as
evidenced by the construction of world class facilities Suswe and Gohori resort centres in
Mutoko, he said.
Agricultural and traditional activities in the province, he added, can also go a long way in
boosting tourism in the province.
He said: This province is well-known for agricultural activities and linkages between the
tourism and agriculture sectors be good for the province.

We have witnessed the traditional cook-out competitions introduced by the First Lady Amai
Auxilia Mnangagwa and we have seen how our small grains have made marvellous cuisines.
Such linkages can promote gatronomic tourism and ensure standadized products and boundless
supply.
Present at the meeting were senior Government officials, captains of the tourism industry,
youth in tourism and members of academia, among others.