Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
TOURISM and hospitality players in Bulawayo are eyeing a huge slice of business opportunities during the fourthcoming Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo set for October in the city.
Business operators say the tourism expo presents huge business and economic opportunities as they seek to tap into the expected increased demand for goods and services from local and international visitors.
The expo will run from October 12 to 14 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre and is expected to ride on the successes gained by the previous editions.
Last year’s edition was a full physical event after two previous editions were held virtually with limited participants due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event provides excellent opportunities for brand exposition to both exhibiting, partnering and sponsoring companies.
Past editions of the Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo were a resounding success and attracted the leading African destinations and major world tourism markets such as South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Malaysia, India, Italy, United Kingdom, US and China.
Speaking to the Business Chronicle, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Bulawayo representative Mrs Beauty Bhulu who owns Glen Lodge and Tours said the accommodation sector is always prepared to host visitors attending various exhibitions.
She said they are confident that the tourism expo will generate business for them.
“We are happy that Bulawayo is hosting the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo in October.
|As players in the tourism sector focusing on accommodation, we are fully geared to host visitors,” said Mrs Bhulu.
She said the event brings an opportunity for the tourism and hospitality sector to gain traction from the international visitors as the buyers will play an important role in marketing destination Zimbabwe.
The annual event organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, provides a platform for tourism players, both local and international, to network, explore collaboration opportunities and exhibit their products and services.
Bulawayo City Council economic development officer Mr Kholisani Moyo said events with an international flair such as Sanganai/Hlanganani and Zimbabwe International Trade Fair generate high demand for goods and services.
“All these events which are coming into the city boost the economic activity of Bulawayo.
“Looking at the past events, we have seen an increase and growth of the events and we are hoping that even this year the number of visitors will increase.”
Mr Moyo said the local authority has lined up various pre-expo activities to promote the event.
Last year in October, the council launched a cycling initiative under the theme “Asitshoveni” meaning “Let’s cycle.”
The local authority views cycling as an economic enabler that is largely tied to tourism.
According to the council, cycling is in line with its vision of becoming a transformative and smart city by 2024 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“Last year, we launched our cycling programme and we are also hoping that just before this year’s edition, we will have such an event which will also attract more people to the city,” he said. — @SikhulekekaniM1
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