Govt backs tourism

Tourism Africa Fair 2012, Vice President Mujuru — who is also the patron of the tourism sector — said the continent was endowed with abundant resources that would make the industry a success.
She said the tourism sector had the capacity to unite the people of Africa.
“The Government is thus fully behind the development of tourism not only in our nation but also in the region given  he abundant resources that we are blessed with. As Africa we stand united and tourism is one sector that unifies nations.
“The strength of tourism as a people to people phenomenon that can bring about international understanding cannot be overemphasised. This is over and above its great potential as an economic sector that can change the fortunes of our countries. Your presence in such a large number at the year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani symbolises the power and influence of tourism to human interaction,” she said.
She urged buyers and exhibitors to make use of the matching appointments during the first two days so that parties are able to interact and have fruitful deliberations.
He encouraged international buyers and foreign exhibitors to sample one of the country’s wonders before departing for their respective homes.
The country’s only United Nations- recognised tourism event, the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo business forum is going to discuss cross- cutting issues on policies affecting the sector.
This year’s expo will see the country launch a new product, Township Tourism, in Highfield in honour of the birth of the country’s nationalist movement.  
The Sanganai/Hlanganani fair has continued to grow over the years and has witnessed a 26 percent growth from last year with the total number of stands increasing from 206 in 2011 to 257 in 2012. A record 1 200 exhibitors are expected to grace this year’s reorganised fair, a 61 percent increase from last year’s 746.
Of these, 85 are foreign exhibitors, a 254 percent increase from 24 in 2011, which is a clear testimony of growing international appeal.
From this total 20 buyers and seven journalists from Africa and the Middle East, 27 buyers and 10 media practitioners from Europe and the Americas and from Asia and the Pacific, 15 buyers and six journalists. More than 200 non-hosted buyers and media practitioners are expected in the country for the show, which kicks off tomorrow.
The travel expo was rebranded in 2008 to Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo to transform the mainly local travel fair into a global tourism fair that compares favourably with or better than other international tourism fairs across the world.