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Zimbabwe will in about two weeks time play host to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. More than 90 percent of the available exhibition space has already been taken by both local and international exhibitors. This year’s international trade showcase is running under the theme,” Propagating Industrial Growth through Trade and Investment.
The 60th edition of the ZITF will run from April 23 to 27 and has so far attracted 435 exhibitors. A total of 12 countries have confirmed their participation at this year’s fair and these are Botswana, Ethiopia, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Zambia.
This is an opportunity for Zimbabwe to market itself as the investment destination of choice. We want at this juncture to implore those who will provide services to both local and international exhibitors to uphold business ethics and refrain from fleecing the exhibitors.
Those in the hospitality industry who will provide accommodation and other services should not take advantage of the ZITF to profiteer but should instead take the opportunity to market themselves for future business especially with foreign exhibitors who must be enticed to return to the country to enjoy its hospitality.
Tourism is one of the key economic sectors expected to contribute significantly to turning around the economy. Government has already directed tourism and hospitality operators to reduce accommodation and fees for various activities saying the industry risks pricing itself out of the market.
Vice President Kembo Mohadi on Friday told tourism players in Victoria Falls that Government viewed the recent price hikes for the 2019 ZITF as irresponsible and unjustified especially in Bulawayo. Cde Mohadi said Zimbabwe has been declared the destination of choice for 2019 but the industry may not enjoy the benefits if operators continue to make their products expensive thereby pricing themselves out of the market. “All these good intentions and efforts you have collectively achieved may come to naught if the issue of pricing is not corrected,” said VP Mohadi.
The Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority said there were reports that some exhibitors to this year’s fair had opted to stay in Francistown, Botswana, and drive close to 200km to Bulawayo to avoid paying high accommodation rates.
Some delegates attending conferences in Victoria Falls were said to be driving from Livingstone, Zambia because accommodation is expensive in Zimbabwe. The operators should therefore reduce accommodation and fees for other activities as directed by the Government so that they enjoy repeat business.
Zimbabwe tourism operators cannot afford to price themselves out of the market given that the nation is banking on tourism to turnaround the economy. We need millions of tourists to visit the country and stay long periods enjoying favourible rates complemented by our hospitality which has already earned us the 2019 destination of choice status.
President Mnangagwa has said a new culture must now inform and animate our daily conduct and the tourism industry must take heed.
Online Reporter