HARARE, Zimbabwe – The national carrier Air Zimbabwe has announced temporary daily flights connecting the capital with Mutare ahead of Zimbabwe’s premier international tourism showcase scheduled for September 10-12. The 2025 edition marks the first time the expo will be hosted in Mutare, Manicaland Province, known for its stunning Eastern Highlands.
The new service forms part of the airline’s turnaround strategy to expand its route network and strengthen domestic connectivity. This pilot initiative tests market demand for potential permanent service on the route.
“We are testing the market, understanding demand, and exploring the long-term viability of this route,” said Air Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer Edmund Makona in a statement Wednesday (0600 GMT). “If the demand is there, Air Zimbabwe will be ready to make it a permanent feature of our network.”
More than 300 companies and six countries have confirmed participation at the highly anticipated 18th Edition of the tourism expo. Countries including Ghana, Indonesia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Malawi have registered, demonstrating the regional and international appeal of the event.
The temporary flights arrive as accommodation in Mutare reaches capacity. All hotels and lodges are fully booked for the expo period, with room rates starting at US$100 per night, according to Manicaland Director of Economic Affairs Munyaradzi Rubaya. Local authorities encourage residents to convert suitable homes into temporary bed-and-breakfast establishments.
The flight schedule enables seamless connections between Victoria Falls, Harare, and Mutare, promoting multi-destination tourism within Zimbabwe. Travellers from Mutare will benefit from onward connections to regional and international routes via Harare.
“Air Zimbabwe is more than an airline,” Makona emphasized. “We are a bridge that connects people, cultures, and opportunities. These Harare-Mutare flights are proof of our dedication to growth, our belief in Zimbabwe’s tourism potential, and our determination to keep the nation flying high.”
Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi revealed the government’s decision to rotate hosting of the expo among provinces to promote their unique attractions, starting with this year’s edition. “Victoria Falls is well known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but Victoria Falls is not Zimbabwe,” she said during a recent tour of Mutare Sports Club, the main venue.
The province features iconic natural attractions including the Vumba Mountains, Nyanga National Park, Chimanimani Mountains, and Mutarazi Falls – one of Africa’s tallest waterfalls. Organised annually by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Sanganai/Hlanganani is Zimbabwe’s premier tourism trade fair and one of Africa’s most significant travel expos.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority acting chief executive William Stima expressed optimism that this year’s edition would surpass expectations, with 319 companies already registered, edging closer to the target of 450 exhibitors.
To facilitate bookings, Air Zimbabwe has partnered with PayNow to enable online payments for pre-booked tickets. The airline worked with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Airports Company of Zimbabwe, National Handling Services and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to ensure infrastructure readiness.
Tourism contributed 12 percent to Zimbabwe’s GDP last year, overtaking agriculture due to drought and mining due to price fluctuations, according to Minister Rwodzi. The expo’s relocation to Mutare represents the government’s broader strategy to diversify tourism offerings beyond traditional hotspots.
