The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
THE 15th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is expected to boost the country’s tourism recovery plan following a two-year setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tourism showcase will be held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo from October 13 to 15.
This year’s edition returns to the normal in-person format, after previous showcases were held virtually in compliance with Government and World Health Organisation Covid-19 protocols that discouraged gatherings.
At least 100 buyers and 250 exhibitors from regional and international markets have since confirmed their participation in the event.
South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates and DRC are some of the countries that now have registered representatives.
Buyers and exhibitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and China are expected to attend.
The Sanganai/Hlanganani expo is the country’s major destination-marketing initiative.
The premier business exchange event presents a perfect platform for developing quality business relationships and partnerships with world tourism players. The event is expected to revive tourists’ attention to Zimbabwe as a destination, as it attracts tourism journalists, as well as international travel agents and trade partners.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is excited about the preparations and the enthusiasm being shown by stakeholders in the fair.
“Our objectives include unpacking tourism investment opportunities and exploring new frontiers. We are creating a platform for networking and engagement, where promoters link up with developers, financiers and operators,” said ZTA chief executive, Ms Winnie Muchanyuka.
Participants are expected to be taken on familiarisation trips to different tourism sites across the country.
“With the pandemic, it has been a tough time for tourism, but we are excited that the sector is on the rebound on the back of strategies being implemented by various sector players.
“We are expectant that the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo will also help us to reposition destination Zimbabwe into a world class marketing platform that will also, in turn, give us the requisite receipts for the tourism sector as we chase our goal of reaching a $5 billion economy by 2025.”
For years, the Sanganai/Hlanganani expo has played a role in unifying the region into one multi-attraction tourist destination.
Major events at the expo will include the Tourism Investment Forum, Sports Tourism Symposium, Minister’s Roundtable and a music concert that will likely be headlined by South African stars Makhadzi and Big Zulu.
The Tourism Investment Forum will be held on October 14 and will run under the theme “Thinking Investment — Explore Zimbabwe Tourism Opportunities”.
“The forum shall be delivered through thematic presentations and panel discussions, projects profiling exhibitions and B2B/G2B network meetings. We are looking forward to participation by all players within the sector, including but not limited to Government, agencies, local authorities, operators, developers, investors, financiers and co-operating partners,” added Ms Muchanyuka.
The thematic areas to be covered are policy perspective — the investment climate in Zimbabwe; tourism investment opportunities across all provinces; tourism infrastructure and finance; as well as investor lenses.
The ZTA said it is now ready to welcome partners from across Africa and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe president, Mr Farai Chimba, encouraged businesses to promote meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions that are related to tourism.
He reckons the expo presents a perfect platform for acquiring knowledge about different source markets.
“We are super excited about the return of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo. We look forward to the tourism flagship expo, giving us the opportunity to showcase the best of warm hospitality and products,” Mr Chimba said.
