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Roberta Katunga and Noble Ncube, Business Reporters
THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company paving the way for the return of the hosting of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo.
The return of the world-acclaimed tourism expo was driven by a Government directive to migrate the event to a place with adequate facilities.
The first edition of the fair a successor of Shanyai/Vakatshani, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo was hosted at the ZITF exhibition centre eight years ago.
Speaking at the official opening of the 8th edition of the expo held at the Harare International Conference Centre in June this year, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre also known as the Trade Fair had adequate facilities for an exhibition of that nature.
“Government directs that the next edition of Sanganai/ Hlanganani be held in Bulawayo at the Trade Fair. When more appropriate exhibition centres are developed in places like the Victoria Falls and elsewhere, Zimbabwe will be able to migrate this economic activity and spread its benefits to other centres,” VP Mnangagwa was quoted as saying then.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU on Friday, ZTA chief executive officer, Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the tourism body had been working with the ZITF Company for a long time and the event was only meant to formalise existing relationships between the two parties.
“We intend to be hosting this tourism show in Bulawayo from next year up until time immemorial. The purpose of this MoU is to clarify on the roles of both parties so that there is no conflict of ideas or roles. As ZTA and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, we are prepared to honour the MoU,” said Mr Kaseke.
Prior to the signing of the MoU, the two parties met at least more than twice to lay the groundwork on the hosting of Sanganai/Hlanganani in Bulawayo.
ZITF general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu urged tourism and hospitality industry players in the city to support the expo and ensure that it continues to grow.
“Sanganai/Hlanganani was born in Bulawayo and went away to gain experience in Harare but is now back. Let us work together to make sure it never leaves the city and grow it to where we want it to be,” said Mrs Ndlovu after the signing of the MoU.
The MoU was signed after a consultative meeting between ZTA and different stakeholders in the tourism sector as well as supporting structures such as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe as well as Zesa Holdings and was witnessed by various tourism operators.
The expo initially known as Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair with the catchy phrase “Where the World meets Africa” was last year branded to Sanganai/ Hlanganani Travel and Tourism Expo with the catch line “Africa’s premier business exchange” so as to give it a business approach that would create the much needed value for exhibitors.
Hosting of the show in Bulawayo would be a boost to the city not only for tourism players and exposure of the destination but for downstream industries as well, as great numbers would be descending on the city.
This year’s edition attracted about 110 buyers and 27 media players from the international community.
Online Reporter