3. The Impacts of Covid-19 on the Traditional African Food and Beverage Expo at the Amagugu International Heritage Centre, Zimbabwe

Tourism is considered one of the sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This chapter unravels the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Traditional Foods Festival held annually at the Matobo Hills of Zimbabwe. The Expo normally attracts tourists locally, regionally and internationally. The study area was Dema Ward, in Matobo District in Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe. The research employed a qualitative methodology. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 23 key informants were purposively selected and interviewed. In addition, four focus group discussions were conducted with men, women, and youths in the villages participating in cultural tourism by providing accommodation or other cultural commodities for sale. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected through interviewing study participants and focus group discussions. The findings showed that the impact was mainly loss of revenue for the villagers and the Amagugu Heritage Centre, poor infrastructure maintenance, loss of employment and restrictions of movement prevented interaction. The Expo was a source of income for the villagers through selling traditional food and beverages and accommodating tourists. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism stopped for 2 years. Recovery plans include diversification by adding cultural dances and strengthening school educational tours. We recommend aggressive advertisements to revive tourism post-COVID-19 and contributions by exhibitors for contingency.