Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
THE 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo, scheduled for Masvingo in September, has already attracted 89 international buyers, underscoring growing global interest in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector and its diverse travel offerings.
The development comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to grow inbound tourism and enhance the sector’s contribution to economic development, foreign currency earnings and job creation.
The prestigious tourism showcase will take place from September 9 to 12 at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre in Masvingo.
Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo is Zimbabwe’s flagship international tourism trade fair, organised annually by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in partnership with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).
The expo brings together tourism operators, international buyers, investors and other industry stakeholders from around the world, providing a platform for Zimbabwe to market its tourism products, attract investment, build strategic partnerships and expand access to international markets.
Tourism remains a critical pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, with the country’s rich wildlife resources, cultural heritage, hospitality sector, natural attractions and adventure tourism experiences presenting significant opportunities for economic growth, employment creation, foreign currency generation and community development.
Against this backdrop, the increasing number of international buyers attending Sanganai presents local tourism operators with a valuable opportunity to convert market exposure into bookings, business agreements and long-term partnerships.
Speaking during a Sanganai webinar held yesterday under the theme, “Networking to Profit: Leveraging Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo as a Catalyst for Business Success – Strategies for Growth,” ZTA marketing division representative Mrs Arvil Chimedza said 89 international buyers had already confirmed their participation.
“To date, we have 89 international buyers that have confirmed participation at Sanganai Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo,” she said.
The confirmed buyers are drawn from key tourism source markets, including Australia, China, Japan, India, the
United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa, among others.
The growing number of international participants highlights the expanding global reach of the expo and provides Zimbabwean tourism operators with direct access to buyers capable of driving increased tourist arrivals and boosting tourism revenues.
During the webinar, industry players were briefed on the benefits of participating in the expo and encouraged to maximise the opportunity to aggressively market Zimbabwe as a premier tourism destination.
Tourism stakeholders were also urged to view Sanganai not only as an exhibition platform but as a strategic business engagement forum capable of generating commercial partnerships, bookings and access to new markets.
“Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo is a global platform that attracts the best in the sector. Therefore, it is a platform that offers a gateway to growth, a platform for showcasing products and services, networking and expanding markets. The expo offers access to diverse buyers and investors and this puts your business in front of an international audience in one place,” said Mrs Chimedza.
The expo comes at a time when Zimbabwe is seeking to strengthen tourism’s role in national economic transformation through increased international arrivals, the promotion of domestic tourism and greater investment across the tourism value chain.
Beyond direct tourism revenues, growth in visitor arrivals has positive spillover effects across the economy, benefiting accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, tour companies, curio traders, farmers and suppliers serving the hospitality industry.
The sector also creates opportunities for communities located near major tourism destinations to participate in and benefit from tourism-driven economic activity.
Key events lined up for this year’s expo include a tourism investment conference, a Scholastica conference, speed networking sessions, a music carnival and gastronomy showcases. These activities are expected to enhance the expo’s appeal beyond traditional business-to-business engagements while highlighting Zimbabwe’s diverse tourism, cultural and culinary attractions.
Last year, the expo was hosted in Mutare, marking the first time the event had been held outside Bulawayo under the rotational hosting model.
The decision to stage this year’s edition in Masvingo is in line with the National Development Strategy, which promotes devolution and inclusive economic development.
Through the decentralisation of major national and international events, Government aims to stimulate economic activity in different regions while ensuring tourism benefits are distributed more broadly beyond the country’s traditional tourism centres.
Hosting Sanganai in Masvingo is expected to create business opportunities for local enterprises and communities while exposing international buyers to the province’s diverse tourism products and investment potential.
The rotational hosting model also supports Zimbabwe’s broader goal of attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030, with tourism expected to play an increasingly significant role in employment creation, investment attraction, export earnings and inclusive economic growth.
