Tourism players optimistic ahead of Sanganai
AS the highly anticipated 16th edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo set for October draws closer, tourism players are upbeat about the prospects that lie ahead as the showcase is a significant opportunity to celebrate the resilience and vibrancy of the tourism sector in the country.
The country’s annual tourism trade fair is scheduled for Bulawayo and will run from October 12 to 14 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre. It is expected to ride on the successes gained by the previous editions.
The exhibition forms part of the Tourism Recovery Plan to achieve a US$5 billion economy by 2025.
Image taken from Shutterstock
The annual event organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry provides a platform for tourism players, both local and international, to network, explore collaboration opportunities and exhibit their products and services.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority said various players are eagerly awaiting the exhibition as they recognise it as a significant opportunity to showcase the resilience and vibrancy of the tourism sector in the country.
Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe president, Mr Vengai Nhau expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming expo.
“We believe that this event will offer us a platform to showcase the resilience and strength of our tourism industry, which has been on a great recovery path.”
He emphasised the expo’s significance as the first major tourism platform taking place after the relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions, saying that the exhibition will serve as a springboard for the relaunch of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, which has shown remarkable signs of recovery.
“This event serves as an opportunity to connect with industry peers, stay informed about the latest trends, and forge partnerships that contribute to the growth and success of our industry,” he said.
As the country moves forward in the recovery of its tourism sector, the focus remains on reviving domestic and regional tourism through collaboration, partnerships, and sustainable growth.
The expo provides an exceptional platform for stakeholders in the industry to come together and pave the way for a brighter future.
Meanwhile, ZTA has indicated that it will be hosting the Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum (ZTIF) on 13 October on the side-lines of Hlanganani/ Sanganai.
On its X (formerly Twitter) handle, ZTA said the forum will be held under the theme: “Tourism Investment —Re-imagining Sustainable Partnerships.”
“This forum provides a platform for project promoters, investors, financiers, operators, and developers to interact, network and engage for sustainable business partnerships as they shape tourism development in Zimbabwe.
“Different topical issues will be explored with a blend of local and international practitioners,” said ZTA.
The event is expected to be attended by Government institutions and agencies, local authorities, business associations, pension funds, asset management companies, banking and financial institutions and real estate institutions.
Tremendous strides towards the implementation of the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy, which seeks to grow the tourism economy to US$5 billion by 2025, have been made.
President Mnangagwa in August 2020 launched the tourism growth plan as he led the restart of the sector’s contribution to the national economy after having been heavily crippled by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19
The National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy is anchored on Zimbabwe’s vision to be a prime international tourist destination based on the judicious and sustainable exploitation of the unique assets of nature, culture, heritage and the built environment as espoused in National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The strategy is informed by the Government’s Vision 2030 to become an upper-middle-income economy characterised by increased investment, decent jobs and a population free from poverty, hunger and corruption. —chronicle
