Zim to consolidate African market at Durban indaba

Herald Correspondent

A delegation from Zimbabwe’s tourism industry led by Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Mangaliso Ndlovu, is expected at the upcoming Africa Travel Indaba that kicks off in Durban, South Africa, from today.

The tourism trade showcase, which is Africa’s largest, will run until Thursday.

It comes after a successful outing for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in the Middle East, aimed at promoting the Southern African region to the world.

Zimbabwe is set to showcase a variety of its best tourism products and attract international buyers. Zimbabwe will have more than 30 tourism operators, an increase from 24 that took part in last year’s showcase. ZTA chief executive officer, Ms Winnie Muchanyuka, said: “We have seen a significant improvement from last year’s tourism sector performance, and we have received substantial amounts of business from the South African market. “In view of this, we are paying particular attention to that market. Our aim is to increase inflows from the region and particularly this market by at least 20 percent (South Africa contributed 292 000 visitors into Zimbabwe last year).

“We are going to South Africa to consolidate and grow our regional market share. In the same vein, we are honoured to have the Minister (Ndlovu) leading the delegation this year.” Ms Muchanyuka said the level of participation of the country’s tourism sector was impressive, adding that the ZTA is grateful to the industry for supporting its strategic goal of promoting the destination.

“I am confident that Zimbabwe will make a lasting impression at this year show.

“We are delighted that “smaller” players are now also seeing that marketing their products at these big travel shows has immense benefits to their businesses and can impact heavily on their growth trajectory,” said Ms Muchanyuka.

Zimbabwe Helicopter tour operator, MJ Air director Mr Gerald Zumbika said he is looking forward to benefiting immensely from exhibiting at the Africa Trade Indaba (ATI).

“As MJ Air, we are delighted and excited to be exhibiting with the ZTA at this year’s edition of ATI. We are looking forward to creating meaningful and fruitful business connections in our quest to strengthen business generated from this market. “We are happy that the Minister and his team at ZTA are leading from the front as they continue to facilitate participation of the destination (Zimbabwe) at such huge platforms,” said Mr Zumbika. South Africa is the largest tourists’ source market for Zimbabwe, contributing 30 percent of total arrivals in 2022. Destination Zimbabwe is also looking forward to engaging with fellow African exhibitors to learn from them and their innovations.

The ZTA believes that by working together as a continent, tourism can only grow and contribute positively to socio-economic development.