30+ Zimbabwe tourism operators exhibit at African Travel Indaba

ENVIRONMENT, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, will lead a total of 30 Zimbabwean tourism operators who are part of the country’s delegation to the upcoming Africa’s Travel Indaba tourism trade showcase, which kicks off today in Durban, South Africa.

Zimbabwe will ride on the platform to showcase its unique tourism product at Africa’s largest travel trade show, which ends on Thursday.

Cde Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu

The exhibition follows the recent successful mission by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in the Middle East, and is aimed at promoting the Southern African region to the world.

It will showcase a wide variety of top-drawer tourism products and attract international buyers and media from across the globe.

The exhibition is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and is among the top-tier tourism events on the global calendar.

This year’s edition will see Zimbabwe leading a strong contingent of more than 30 tourism operators, an increase from 24 that took part last year, a position that has impressed the ZTA chief executive officer, Ms Winnie Muchanyuka.

“We have seen a significant improvement from last year’s tourism sector performance, and we’ve received substantial amounts of business from the South African market,” she said.

“In view of this, we’re paying particular attention to that market. Our aim is to increase inflows from the region and particularly this market by at least 20 percent. SA contributed 292 000 visitors to Zimbabwe last year.

“We are going to South Africa to consolidate and grow our regional market share. In the same vein, we’re honoured to have the minister leading the delegation this year,” said Ms Muchanyuka.

She said the level of participation of the tourism players from Zimbabwe was impressive hence as ZTA they were grateful to the industry players for supporting the country’s strategic goal of promoting the destination.

“I am confident that Zimbabwe will make a lasting impression at this year’s show,” she added.
“We are delighted that ‘smaller’ players are now also seeing that marketing their products at these big travel shows has immense benefits to their businesses and can impact heavily on their growth trajectory.”

Zimbabwe Helicopter tour operator MJ Air, Director Gerald Zumbika has said he is looking forward to his company benefiting immensely from exhibiting at the ATI. South Africa is the largest tourist source market for Zimbabwe, contributing 30 percent of total arrivals in 2022.

Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for our vast array of African leisure tourism products.-chronicle.co.zw