Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
BUYERS attending this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo in Masvingo have given Zimbabwe a resounding vote of confidence, describing the country as beautiful and its people as warm and welcoming.
The positive reviews from the buyers are expected to further cement the country’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, with many pledging to market Zimbabwe in their countries.
A total of 125 international buyers from China, India, Japan, the United States, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Bangladesh, Canada, the Middle East and other parts of the world are attending the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Expo at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre in Masvingo.
The expo, which was officially opened by President Mnangagwa on Wednesday, ends tomorrow.
The international buyers have been joined by 28 local buyers, while 405 exhibitors are showcasing their products and services at this year’s expo, which has been christened Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe.
Some of the international buyers told The Herald that their experiences in Zimbabwe had left a lasting impression, with several promising to return with more tourists.
Ms Shaheemah Clarke, a product development specialist with Amazing Africa, based in Cape Town, South Africa described the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Expo as an eye-opener for foreign visitors.
“I have been here in Masvingo since last weekend after flying into the city and I want to thank the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry (Barbara Rwodzi) for a warm welcome. We managed to visit different tourist attraction sites across the province on a five-day trip.
“We went to Triangle in the Lowveld and Gonarezhou National Park,’’ she said.
“I am here representing my company and also my country, South Africa, and I am very happy that we also visited the Great Zimbabwe in the most stunning weather; it was misty and we enjoyed it.
“I really want to say that this country is very beautiful and its people too are amazing and friendly and I will surely go back and tell others back home about the good times I enjoyed here.”
Another international buyer, Mr Mohammed Yahiaoui, the general manager of Omnivista International Limited based in Tanzania, said Zimbabwe is “a wonderful country, not only in terms of tourist attraction sites such as Gonarezhou National Park and other places, but also the good and warm people”.
“I will definitely bring more tourists to this country and no wonder why the country got a top ranking from Forbes Magazine as a prime tourist destination,” he said.
Mr Yahiaoui also praised Zimbabwe’s food and beverages, saying his experience had added another dimension to his visit.
“I fell in love with the food and local beer too, especially this lager, what do you call it, Zambezi; the beer is so nice and tasty and I will try to carry some of it with me when I go back.
“Even the local traditional brew that you call Chibuku, I went into the supermarket last night and bought my Chibuku and I really enjoyed it,” said Mr Yahiaoui.
For Mr Nauroz Imtiaz, managing director of Chhuti Bangladesh Limited, the expo has given him stories and experiences that he intends to share back home.
“In Bangladesh we do not have many people who know about Zimbabwe, but I am happy with what I have seen during this expo that I will indeed promote brand Zimbabwe when I return to my country and encourage as many people as possible to visit this country because not only does it have wonderful tourist attraction sites, but its people are also very friendly and warm,” he said.
Mr Imtiaz said Zimbabwe was better known in Bangladesh through sport, particularly cricket, but the tourism expo had broadened his understanding of the country.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive Dr George Manyaya hailed this year’s expo as a resounding success, saying the increase in exhibitors and international buyers demonstrated growing interest in the country.
“Next year we are going to Mashonaland West, but I must say Masvingo has been a marvel; Masvingo has been very successful.
“If you look at the exhibitors, we got more than we anticipated; we have over 400 buyers and if you look at international buyers, we had 89 buyers last year and this year we have 125 and these are our chief marketers.
“They come from all over the world, from Europe, the United States of America, Africa and the Far East and this is good,” he said.
Mr Manyaya said the buyers were not confined to the exhibition venue, but were travelling around the country, visiting major tourist attractions and seeing wildlife.
“We have some groups of people who are coming from Victoria Falls straight to Great Zimbabwe, others are going to Gonarezhou National Park and these are actually people who are going to promote ‘brand Zimbabwe’ and recruit more people to come and visit Zimbabwe,” he said.
Dr Manyaya said even President Mnangagwa was impressed by what he saw when he toured the exhibitors’ stands at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre.
“Our tourism is heritage-based and I must say that some of our international buyers were coming to Zimbabwe for the first time, but I am happy because they were very happy with what they saw and promised to return with even more people, which is a boon for local tourism,” he said.
Today is the second day of Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe, which is expected to be dominated by an investment conference where buyers would meet tour operators and discuss tourism opportunities.
Dr Manyaya said the expo was also benefiting downstream industries in Masvingo, giving impetus to the local economy.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi hailed the expo as a success, citing its impact on businesses across the city.
“All the rooms for accommodation in this city have been sold out and restaurants, bars and other service providers are enjoying brisk business,’’ she said.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said more than 1 800 rooms in lodges and hotels in the ancient city had been snapped up by visitors during the expo.
