Chronicle Editor
Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO is set to host this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo with 250 exhibitors, among them 165 international buyers and 23 media houses having confirmed participation at Africa’s premier business exchange event.
International exhibitors, including media houses expected to participate at the annual tourism expo are from countries in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
The event, which runs from October 13 to 15 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre will be held physically for the first time since the global outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020.
The previous edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism was held virtually. The exhibition forms part of the Tourism Recovery Plan with the aim of achieving a US$5 billion economy by 2025.
Last year, Government re-opened the tourism sector after six months of Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown.
The annual tourism trade fair, which is organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. It has become a permanent feature on Zimbabwe’s tourism calendar.
In her post Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said hosting of the physical event will afford the country as a destination an opportunity to re-engage with regional and international tourism partners.
“Cabinet received an update on the state of preparedness for hosting of the 2022 Edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo. The nation is informed that the country will host the physical 2022 Edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo scheduled from 13th to 15th October, 2022 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZITF Grounds) in Bulawayo,” she said.
“Hosting of the physical event will afford the destination an opportunity to re-engage with regional and international tourism partners.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said the physical meetings will create a platform for participants to generate new sales leads that are crucial to the destination’s “Comeback Strategy” following Covid-19 induced lockdowns and travel restrictions that had been imposed in various source markets.
“The physical showcase will also encourage synergies between local operators who will need to collaborate efforts in line with the new way of doing business,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“The physical exhibition will draw buyers and media from Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Hosting of the event in Bulawayo will further create the needed economic activity and enhance publicity for the city.”
Over the years, Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo has become a premier tourism expo and each year it has attracted exhibitors, buyers, investors and media persons from the local, regional and international markets.
It has also played an important role in promoting Zimbabwe’s tourism industry by showcasing the various tourist attractions and the world-class tourism infrastructure that the country has painstakingly built over the years. — @mashnets
Online Reporter