adminLiberty Dube
LAST year’s Best Training Institution category winner at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, Mutare Polytechnic, is geared to retain the same accolade at this year’s edition to be held from June 18 to 20 in Harare. The college upstaged Bulawayo School of Hospitality and Southern Africa Hospitality who were in the same category and has for the past two years been raising Manicaland flag high at the event which is the country’s largest tourism and travel expo.
In 2013, the college won the best tertiary institution stand, while its students came third in the Zimbabwe Chefs Association competition in the Live Cooking category.
In an interview, Mutare Poly public relations officer, Mrs Charity Mambondiyani, said they were ready to retain the award.
“We are ready to do what we know best, that is winning. We are preparing hard to raise our provincial flag high again and this is within our reach. It is possible and we are working hard to come out the best again. We know it won’t be easy, but we are ready to compete and come out tops,” said Mrs Mambondiyani.
Other winners were Air Zimbabwe which won in the Best Airline category, while Best First Time exhibitor award went to Hardwood for Africa.
India Tourism Board won the Best International stand. Khanondo Safaris won the Best Zimbabwe stand, while South Africa’s Thomson Holidays came out tops in the Best Buyers category.
To date, close to 80 international buyers from our global source markets have confirmed their participation out of a target of 120 buyers.
Among those who have registered to exhibit are local tour operators, accommodation companies and foreign countries.
National Tourism Organisations bring with them their countries’ tour operators, airlines and accommodation groups.
In a separate interview, National Convention Bureau executive director, Mrs Tesa Chikaponya, said a number of airlines had committed to exhibit at Sanganai 2015 in order to boost their businesses through networking with various operators who usually create demand for the airlines.
“We are still calling on exhibitors to come and register, space is still available. We foresee us beating this target soon as we are working closely with appointed market representatives in Europe such as Aviareps and Ubuntu who are covering France, Benelux market, Spain and Portugal.
“The ZTA Tourist Offices in UK, China, South Africa, USA and Germany are also working tirelessly to ensure that we have quality buyers at Sanganai 2015,” she said, adding that ZTA had undertaken a process to carefully, identify, select and recruit international buyers to visit Sanganai and conduct business with our local exhibitors.
“In order to improve business interaction at Sanganai 2015, the online appointment booking system is now up and exhibitors are encouraged to register online and book meetings with the buyers.
‘‘The booking system is free of charge to all Sanganai exhibitors, buyers and the media. Users only need to set up a profile that includes detailed information about their company.”
The Sanganai/Hlanganani will have a massive culinary exposition where different countries will participate and walk away with exciting prizes.
The Culinary Expo is aimed at showcasing specific sets of cooking traditions and practices, often associated with a specific culture or region.
“Different cuisines such as Asian, Western and African will be showcased on different days but with a competition on the last day.
‘‘Sanganai Culinary Expo provides countries with an opportunity to market their food, wine and beverage experiences that international visitors and the public will enjoy and share throughout the period of Sanganai,” added Mrs Chikaponya.
Online Reporter