Online Reporter
George Maponga in MASVINGO and Debra Matabvu in HARARE
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is today expected to open the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo at Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre in Masvingo.
The expo, which runs until Saturday, is being held in Masvingo in line with the Government’s devolution agenda and rotation of major events.
The country’s premier tourism showcase has attracted 405 exhibitors and 153 buyers. These include 125 international buyers from major markets such as China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said decentralising the expo would spread tourism benefits and strengthen provincial destinations.
“The decision decentralises tourism benefits and strengthens the visibility and inclusivity of provincial tourism benefits.
“The legacy infrastructure includes the refurbishment of Masvingo Airport; the construction of a restaurant, offices and ablution facilities; the development of sports fields; and improvement of the associated road network.”
Minister Soda said a 1,4km stretch of road leading to the venue, as well as the airport access road, had been refurbished through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, thereby further enhancing ease of access to the venue.
A total of 385 companies from 15 countries, including Botswana, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania and Indonesia, confirmed participation, while buyers from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas had arrived for the expo.
The minister said 153 buyers, comprising 125 international and 28 local buyers, have similarly confirmed their participation.
“The international buyers represent key source markets including China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Bangladesh, South Africa and other African markets,” he said.
Several activities have been lined up during the expo, including the September Sports Tourism Carnival, Gastronomy and Music Show Carnival, Gastronomy Masterclass, Events Planners Masterclass, Chief Executive Officers Roundtable, Tourism Investment Forum, Scholastica Conference, Back-to-Back Buyer’s Session and Sanganai Awards Ceremony.
Permanent Secretary for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa yesterday said preparations for the tourism showcase were complete.
“All is set for the official opening of this year’s tourism expo that we have christened Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbabwe Tourism Expo and President Mnangagwa will preside over the official opening,” said Dr Pazvakavambwa.
“Everything is now in place for the official opening and today workmen were putting final touches on the exhibition stands.
“We are very happy with the level of preparedness and all the exhibitors have adequately prepared their exhibition stands ahead of the official opening.”
Dr Pazvakavambwa said the increase in exhibitors from about 343 last year demonstrated growing interest in the country’s tourism sector.
“All the 405 exhibitors who have registered for this year’s expo have set up their stands and we are happy with the high number of exhibitors, up from about 343 who were there last year,” added Dr Pazvakavambwa.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is expected to preside over the tourism awards ceremony on Friday.
The expo has been accompanied by major infrastructure improvements, including the refurbishment of Masvingo Airport, construction of a restaurant and bar, upgrading of access roads and development of the conference centre.
The arrival of international buyers last weekend also marked the beginning of daily Air Zimbabwe flights between Harare, Masvingo and Chiredzi under an agreement with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
Masvingo is home to major tourist attractions besides the internationally famous Great Zimbabwe, including Lake Mutirikwi, Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, Kyle Recreational Park and Gonarezhou National Park, which forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
