The Sunday Mail
Features and Arts Editor
THE three-day Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo scheduled to run this week is expected to boost local tourism which had slumped into a Covid-19-induced coma.
The annual tourism trade fair is organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to showcase Zimbabwe and Africa’s best tourism products.
It attracts international visitors and media.
This year’s event will be hosted virtually from October 27-29 owing to restrictions on movement and gatherings.
Most countries are currently reviving their tourism sectors following the global setback created by the pandemic.
Several countries imposed national lockdowns and travel restrictions to contain the health crisis.
According to ZTA, the country suffered an 87 percent decline in arrivals and revenue last year.
The travel expo is arguably one of the best platforms to re-ignite both international and domestic interest in Zimbabwe.
It will likely complement the success of the country’s domestic tourism campaign, “ZimBho”.
ZTA head of corporate affairs Godfrey Koti said Sanganai/Hlanganani has remained relevant even during trying times.
“Preparations for hosting the 14th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo are now at an advanced stage. This year’s edition is expected to exceed the success achieved during the 2020 edition,” said Koti in an interview.
“The exhibitor and buyer registration is now open and the matchmaking diary opened on October 15, 2021. The expo is a signature platform for tourism players, which continues to provide stakeholders with a business networking platform to engage international and regional source markets.”
Over 150 exhibitors and more than 100 buyers have registered on the virtual system.
The virtual platform, which was developed in-house, has since been enhanced to include an on-demand meeting requests platform, live HD video conferencing, virtual auditorium for interactive and topical webinar sessions, including 3D virtual exhibitor booths.
This will allow industry professionals and international travel buyers to interact without the need to worry about physical barriers.
“It was prudent to enhance features of the platform so as to remain competitive and to keep abreast with international virtual platforms and standards. The platform has become more user-friendly. Participants can now schedule meetings using their respective time zones.”
Participants can easily keep track of meetings they have conducted through recordings and can access information of visitors to their virtual booths/stands, among other things.
Some of the countries that have taken part in previous editions include Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, Malaysia, China, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Indonesia, Italy, the United Kingdom and India.
The event seeks to boost business-to-business exchange through speed networking between accommodation providers, tour operators, local authorities and suppliers.
The fair is a successor to Shanyai/Vakatshani, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (ZITE) that used to be held annually at the Harare International Conference Centre.
