Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Bhebhe in Masvingo
JOURNALISTS from various media outlets are participating in a pre-media Sanganai- Hlanganani World Tourism Expo tour of Masvingo and Chiredzi’s tourist attractions.
The tour offers journalists a unique chance to discover and experience the latest developments and attractions that will be featured at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
On Sunday, the media crew visited Lake Mutirikwi and Great Zimbabwe Monuments in anticipation of the 17th edition of this premier tourism exhibition, scheduled for September 12 to 14 in Bulawayo.
September is recognised as tourism month, aiming to raise awareness about the tourism sector’s essential role in promoting the nation’s development agenda.
The tour provides an exclusive preview of the expo’s highlights, enabling journalists to collect engaging stories and appealing content for their audiences.
“We are confident that this tour will equip your journalists with valuable material and an advantage in covering the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo,” said the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
At Great Zimbabwe Monuments, there were several local tourists at the site who stressed the importance of domestic tourism.
Domestic tourist Ms Tendai Dziruni from Harare said the visit had broadened her understanding of the origins of the name Zimbabwe.
“I am with my son from Harare for him to know our heritage and where the name Zimbabwe came from.
“We are en route to Gonarezhou National Park, so it was a good stop at Great Zimbabwe,” she said.
“What we found interesting is that there are other ruins, and the tour guide explained that there are about 150 other ruins,” she added.
Tour guide Mr Champion Ndingunei said there are several unknown underground tunnels at the monument.
He added that the stone wall symbolised power.
The annual event, hosted by the ZTA in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, serves as a venue for local and international tourism stakeholders to network, seek partnership opportunities, and showcase their offerings.
The exhibition is a key component of the Tourism Recovery Plan, which aims to build a US$5 billion economy by 2025.
The annual Expo has been gradually growing, from 310 exhibitors in 2017 to 375 last year and more than 400 are expected this year.
Its growth trajectory is clear, with regional and international exhibitors increasing steadily each year.
The prestigious three-day event, which is on its 17th edition is expected to showcase the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products and attract international visitors and media from across the world.
As of last Wednesday, more than 400 companies and eight countries had registered for the forthcoming Expo.
In the year’s first half, the country saw a notable increase in tourism, with international arrivals growing by 27 percent to 751,483, up from 592,567 in the same period the previous year.
Similarly, tourism revenue rose by 24 percent, reaching US$493 million, an increase from US$398 million in the first half of 2023.
The tourism sector remains a crucial element of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing approximately 5.7 percent to the Gross Domestic Product and 3.5 percent to national employment.
Online Reporter