{"id":1010,"date":"2025-09-06T17:31:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T17:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/?p=1010"},"modified":"2025-09-06T17:31:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T17:31:10","slug":"tourists-arrive-in-mutare-ahead-of-kumbanai-tourism-expo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/2025\/09\/06\/tourists-arrive-in-mutare-ahead-of-kumbanai-tourism-expo\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourists Arrive in Mutare Ahead of Kumbanai Tourism Expo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Fanuel Chinowaita<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Babra Rwodzi <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mutare<\/strong> \u2013 Mutare is already buzzing with activity as tourists begin arriving for the Kumbanai Tourism Expo, which runs from September 10 to 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city today hosted the colorful Sanganai\/Hlanganani\u2013Kumbanai Carnival Street Party along Main Street, marking the build-up to the major tourism showcase.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, who attended the festivities, said the influx of visitors was evidence that Zimbabwe\u2019s tourism sector is regaining momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now have diversity of transport. We have an aeroplane flying Harare – Mutare, Mutare – Harare and Harare\u2013Victoria Falls. Our passenger train will also be here tomorrow. Tourists can choose transport of their choice,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister Rwodzi dismissed claims that Zimbabwe\u2019s passenger train is outdated.
\u201cSome are telling you that it has old furniture. That\u2019s our antique furniture\u2014you sit and drink in the train. Our train is the best, don\u2019t be lied to,\u201d she told the cheering crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rwodzi revealed that international buyers are also arriving in large numbers ahead of the Expo.
\u201cThe buyers are already coming in. The second flight was actually full of buyers because the flight came two times,\u201d she said, adding that the Grand Reef Airport is playing a pivotal role in the influx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe airport is an economic enabler since it connects Victoria Falls and Manicaland, the top two tourist destinations in the country,\u201d the Minister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She further noted that even more tourists are expected tomorrow as the passenger train arrives in Mutare, boosting the city\u2019s hospitality and tourism momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local businesses in Mutare are already cashing in on the growing arrivals. Hotels reported a surge in bookings, restaurants are recording brisk business and traders said they are selling more curios, crafts, and food to visitors. Operators in the transport sector also confirmed increased demand for shuttle services and taxis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representing Manicaland State and Devolution Minister Hon Misheck Mugadza, Eng. Rukuni\u2014described the Expo as a milestone event for Manicaland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are delighted to host Kumbanai. It is a celebration of beauty, culture and opportunities that make Zimbabwe such a special destination. In Manicaland, you can climb the highest mountains and sip the finest tea. But this is more than just tourism\u2014it is about partnership, investment, and opening our doors widely to the world,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the host city, Mutare is basking in the spotlight. Deputy Mayor John Nyamhoka said the Expo has placed the city firmly on the country\u2019s tourism map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs Mutare, we are happy because we are now recognised in Zimbabwean history for holding the Kumbanai Tourism Expo. Our city has been remembered, and we thank the Minister of Tourism for this opportunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rwodzi also confirmed that next year\u2019s edition of the Kumbanai Tourism Expo will be hosted in Masvingo, but assured that both the train and aeroplane services will continue serving the Manicaland region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Kumbanai Tourism Expo is expected to attract thousands of local and international visitors, showcasing the cultural richness and economic potential of Zimbabwe\u2019s eastern province.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Fanuel Chinowaita Mutare \u2013 Mutare is already buzzing with activity as tourists begin arriving for the Kumbanai Tourism Expo, which runs from September 10 to 12. The city today hosted the colorful Sanganai\/Hlanganani\u2013Kumbanai Carnival Street Party along Main Street, marking the build-up to the major tourism showcase.Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, who…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-national-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1010"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1014,"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010\/revisions\/1014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thewasupost.co.zw\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}