Antony Chawagarira
MASVINGO — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged Zimbabwe’s tourism industry to embrace artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance the visitor experience, improve service delivery, and make the country’s tourism products more competitive in the global market.
The President made this call as he officially opened the 19th edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Masvingo, where tourism operators, international buyers, exhibitors, and other stakeholders have converged to showcase products, forge business partnerships, and promote investment.
President Mnangagwa said the rapid advancement of technology is presenting new opportunities for the tourism sector, urging industry players to aggressively harness digital tools while retaining the human touch that defines Zimbabwean hospitality.
“Artificial Intelligence and digital tools are the future of tourism — but they must complement, not replace, the irreplaceable human face of our hospitality,” he said.
He challenged tourism players to develop inclusive, seamless, and efficient digital systems capable of improving how visitors access information, make bookings, experience destinations, and interact with tourism service providers.
The President said Zimbabwe cannot afford to lag as technology continues to transform the global tourism industry.
At the same time, he stressed that technology should complement rather than undermine Zimbabwe’s cultural identity and renowned hospitality.
“It is this warmth that makes Zimbabwe a tourist destination of choice, a fact further cemented by the numerous international tourism accolades our nation continues to receive,” President Mnangagwa said.
He identified Zimbabwe’s people as the country’s greatest tourism asset and urged the sector to maintain its traditional culture of welcoming visitors even as it adopts modern technologies.
President Mnangagwa also called for greater investment in cultural programmes and domestic tourism, saying Zimbabweans should be encouraged to explore and appreciate the country’s attractions.
“I challenge our local tourism industry to invest more heavily in cultural programmes and vigorously encourage domestic tourism. Every Zimbabwean must have the opportunity to visit, appreciate and enjoy our own spectacular tourist attractions,” he said.
He said domestic tourism would not only broaden participation in the sector, but also encourage Zimbabweans to become ambassadors for their own country.
The President further highlighted the importance of rotating the hosting of Sanganai Hlanganani among provinces, saying the initiative was designed to expose attractions outside traditional tourism centres to international markets.
“By rotating the hosting of this premier Expo, our goal is to uplift provincial tourist attractions and expose them directly to the global stage,” he said.
Masvingo, which is hosting this year’s edition, is home to some of Zimbabwe’s major cultural and heritage attractions, including the Great Zimbabwe Monument. The province also boasts wildlife, as well as natural and cultural tourism products.
President Mnangagwa urged international buyers attending the Expo to promote Zimbabwe as a destination when they return to their respective countries.
“You are now our ambassadors. Go back to your respective nations and share the true, beautiful story of Zimbabwe’s tourism,” he said.
He also challenged the tourism industry to ensure that the momentum generated by Sanganai Hlanganani translates into increased investment in accommodation, transport, attractions, and other tourism infrastructure.
The President congratulated Masvingo Province for successfully hosting the premier tourism showcase, saying the event had demonstrated the potential of provincial tourism to contribute to national economic growth.
The 19th Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is providing a platform for Zimbabwe and participating countries to showcase tourism products, connect buyers and suppliers, promote destinations, and explore investment opportunities.
The event comes as Zimbabwe continues to position tourism as an important contributor to economic development, with technology, cultural preservation, domestic tourism, and increased investment emerging as key drivers of the sector’s future growth.
