Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, [email protected]
DELEGATES who include academics, learners and learning institutions have gathered for the inaugural Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo Scholastic Tourism conference.
The conference is being held under the theme: “Leveraging Heritage Based Education 5.0 for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Zimbabwe.”
The theme realises the importance of education in sustainable and modern tourism that is driven by research and understanding of changing trends.
The conference is one of the activities at the ongoing 17th edition of the expo which kicked off on Wednesday at the Zimbabwe Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile, exhibitors are all set for the exhibition whose official opening will be done on Friday.
Most of the exhibitors were seen at their stands after finishing setting up on Wednesday with only a few doing touch ups.
The organisers of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has said the 2024 event promises to deliver an engaging and dynamic experience for exhibitors, buyers, and visitors alike.
“It is expected to drive new investments, partnerships, and initiatives that will contribute to the development of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector and the wider regional economy,” said the organisers.
Overall, 408 companies registered to participate this year.
South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, Embassy of Iran, Angola and Nigeria registered to participate at the expo.
South Africa brought 10 operators and local authorities while Namibia brought six operators.
Tanzania, Botswana, and Angola are exhibiting under the Gastronomy Hub.
The exhibitors include those offering accommodation, travel agents and tour operators, transporters, publicity associations, airlines, service providers, Government departments and parastatals, tertiary institutions, events planners, local government, agro tourism players, sports tourism, gastronomy hub and foreign exhibitors.
-@ncubeleon
derick.khumalo