Masvingo/ Great Zimbabwe Publicity Association was formed in 1936 after the community raised the need for a business and tourism marketing and promotion association. With the Great Zimbabwe Monument and Kyle Recreational Park as cornerstones, the Association began to market and promote tourism growth and potential. Accommodations, curios, restaurants, and the business community directly supported tourism growth. Today, the tourism and commercial industries are well established and are in constant support of each other.

Masvingo/ Great Zimbabwe Publicity Association has members from all industry sectors, mainly tourism and commercial. The Association is proposing to promote dialogue between the City of Masvingo and the tourism and commercial industry on issues affecting the industry. The aim is to build a long-term relationship between the City of Masvingo and the industry.

Industry plays an important role in the City of Masvingo by bringing in investment and employment. A Management Committee and salaried staff run the Masvingo/ Great Zimbabwe Publicity Association. The Association receives a grant from the City of Masvingo as well as a token grant from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.

The publicity Association is a non-profit making organization that depends on grants from the municipality of Masvingo, Donations, Membership, and Advertising.

The publicity association consists of a board of trustees, a management committee, a publicity council, and members.

The board of trustees consists of three members who are:

• The mayor for the time being of the municipality of Masvingo
• The chairman for the time being of the management of the committee.
• And the president for the time being of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.

The management consists of four members who are elected at annual general meetings and the publicity council consists of representatives of different organizations and associations which are:

• Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce
• The Lions Club of Masvingo
• Local Hoteliers
• Rotary Club of Masvingo
• Business and Professional Women’s Club of Masvingo
• Masvingo Arts Council
• Zimbabwe Nurses Association
• National Parks and Wildlife Management
• Motor Traders Association
• Zimbabwe Caravan Association of Masvingo
• Show Society of Masvingo
• National Museums and Monuments (Southern Region)
• Women’s Institute
• Zimbabwe Teachers Association
• Masvingo Municipal Council
• And any other organization approved by the Association

The purpose of the Association is basically to publicize the amenities and natural resources of Masvingo Town and the districts that surround it by providing valuable information to tourists, visitors, and the local people.

The association liaises with other publicity Associations and the Zimbabwe Tourist Development Corporation in the Exchange and Distribution of Information covering this Area, other tourist areas in Zimbabwe, and other African Countries.

It maintains up-to-date information regarding clubs, associations, and other organizations, including office bearers and days and times of meetings and sporting events. It also arranges for the distribution of the “what’s happening” section in the Masvingo provincial star.

The association arranges for the production of the Masvingo map which includes the town, and high- and low-density suburbs for the benefit of the local people, tourists, and visitors.

It assists the local and national press with information about Masvingo and the surrounding area for the inclusion of travel supplements and Masvingo advertisements.

The publicity association organizes a Masvingo exhibit at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo under the umbrella of the Zimbabwe tourist Development Corporation. Though the Association will be exhibiting in a tourism-only environment, those manning the stand will be distributing information that concerns investment in Masvingo. Exhibiting at these shows allows the Association to expose Masvingo to the International Community.

It produces up-to-date price list pamphlets every three months giving information on all accommodations including hotels, motels, chalets, lodges, caravans, and campsites in the Masvingo area.

Produces the monthly issue of the Masvingo diary which is distributed free of charge to all parts of Zimbabwe as well as to some overseas countries.

It works hand in hand with local tour and public bus operators National Railways of Zimbabwe and Air Zimbabwe regarding methods of tours and their timetables.

Hosts the world tourism day celebrations on behalf of the Zimbabwe Tourist Development Corporation.

Attends to complaints brought to its attention and draws the attention of the people concerned, for example, complaints about poor service at hotels, pollution, bad roads, and the like.

The association produces colour pamphlets with general information on Masvingo, copies of which can be obtained from the publicity bureau.

It assists individuals with specific needs for information or helps them get in touch with the right people for advice.

Tourists are given the privilege of making telephone calls at a slight charge.

The association produces advertisements for publication in tourist guides most of which are sent overseas for distribution. One such guide is the “Africa Calls Tourist Guide”.