‘Take advantage of expo’

GOVERNMENT has rallied local tourism and leisure players to ride on the upcoming Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo this month, to market their products and destination Zimbabwe to the world.

This comes as preparations for the 17th edition of the annual expo to be held from September 12 to 14, at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre have gathered momentum.

More than 400 exhibitors are expected to showcase at the expo, which also attracted the best buyers from across the world, as well as the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, which will be showcasing innovation hubs for the first time.

There will also be a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Expos masterclass. Recently, a stakeholders meeting was held in Victoria Falls with operators to update them on the preparations.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister, Tongai Mnangagwa, who was represented by acting Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer, Mr William Sitima said more players from Victoria Falls are expected to showcase.

“I am excited to advice you that we will be hosting the 17th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo from September 12 to 14,” he said.

“We have been hosting this expo for the past 16 years in a bid to promote the tourism industry, especially the small operators whom we know are incapacitated to attend international travel shows hence the initiative to bring buyers to their doorstep.

“We look forward to seeing more players from Victoria Falls coming to participate at Sanganai/Hlanganani. We look forward to all provinces taking ownership and advantage of this mega event to profile tourism products,” said the Deputy Minister.

“We are appealing to the tourism industry in Victoria Falls to support this initiative in hosting international buyers as it is important for you to sample your products for future business with them.”

Victoria Falls is the country’s tourism capital and recently hosted the inaugural United Nations Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa.

Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said this year’s expo will be bigger and better with a showcase of the gastronomy value chain.

He said the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education exhibition will be supporting youth ideas as training institutions will showcase production of fresh juices from indigenous fruits.

All provinces will be expected to exhibit attractions in their areas to collectively market the country including hidden gems as a destination. Registration is in progress although recruitment of buyers has closed.

Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said the expo had received interest from key source markets including international buyers and media who have registered from Germany, United Kingdom, China, India, USA and South Africa, among others.

Buyers and media will tour various attractions around the country.

“The ZTA runs Hlanganani for the benefit of the tourism industry in Zimbabwe and, therefore, we request the Victoria Falls operators to play a key role in the hosting of the buyers,” he said.

Tourism executive, Mrs Barbara Murasiranwa-Hughes, also representing the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe reiterated the appeal for the tourism industry to take the expo as a one-stop-shop to market their products.

Mrs Barbara Murasiranwa

“This expo has been brought home and we are encouraged to put something together. Where we cannot afford, let us team up and share resources. Let’s show the world of wonders that we have and these buyers will become our ambassadors,” she said.

“So, we thank Government and ZTA for continued support through expos. We are excited because all of us will be involved.”

—chronicle