The Sunday Mail
MINISTER of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Dr Engineer Walter Mzembi says Government is ready to partner with organisers of local beer festivals, in a move aimed at improving the overall Zimbabwe tourism package. Dr Mzembi said festivals have the potential to attract visitors should they be organised and managed professionally.
The minister made the remarks when he visited Private Lounge stand during a tour of stands that exhibited at the recently held Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
Private Lounge, which now has an exclusive club in Bulawayo and Harare operates under the Devine Assignments banner, who are also organisers of Sunset October Beer Festival. The club got a Special Recognition Award from Buyers at the Sanganai/Hlanganani awards ceremony.
“Nightlife is part of tourism and we want more players in the showbiz industry so that our tourism package becomes complete. Government is ready to support the growth of initiatives like Beer Festivals since they help promote Brand Zimbabwe in the same way the Oktoberfest markets Germany,” said Minister Mzembi.
Divine Assignments director Biggie Chinoperekwei, notes assistance from relevant authorities will help them achieve more.
“The inaugural Beer Festival was successful but we had a number of challenges that I’m certain will be eased should Government consciously come through for us. Our ultimate objective is to come up with world class entertainment standards that will make Zimbabwe a preferred destination ahead of others,” said Chinoperekwei.
“…the award is important to us. Buyers that endorsed us have international exposure and vast experience in the tourism business and this gives us confidence that we shoving in the right direction.”
Private Lounge stand was unanimously endorsed by both international and local buyers after they voted the club stand as the Most Outstanding. The stand, which was made in a real club scene proved to have been the most popular throughout the expo as it was graced by more people than any other. An assortment of drinks were served in a typical bar style while the ladies in some instances gave a display of their art. A buyer from the United States said, “This is what an exhibition should be like. From their display you get a clear picture of the services they provide. I will certainly be going to their club after this expo (last week Friday).”
A number of other exhibitors among them Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe, Harare Publicity Bureau also walked away with awards. ZTA chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said all the winners deserved the awards.
“We look at a number of factors when selecting winners. The exhibition has to be on point and we are not motivated or directed by the organisation’s performance outside this expo. What we need is an exhibitor with a well-designed and manned stand,” explained Kaseke.
“…this winner was selected by buyers, they made this choice, they voted Private Lounge as having the Most Outstanding stand using their experience and how they were treated during and the expo.”
Meanwhile, music superstar Dr Oliver Mtukudzi gave a scintillating performance at the close of the tourism fete.
Jays Marabini and various cultural groups based in Bulawayo also entertained exhibitors, buyers, Government officials and the general public that attended the ninth edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani.
