adminThousands of tour operators from across the world thronged the venue for the ITB Berlin to exhibit, market and promote various aspects of the tourism and travel industry.
While the Zimbabwean stand was visited by a significant number of potential clients, it was clear that the absence of most operators was a big let-down to the sector as some enquiries would not receive the responses they required after failing to hold discussions with specific operators of their choice.
ZTA spokesperson Mr Sugar Chagonda said he had reservations over the situation, but said the regulatory body would take measures to address the challenge.
“It’s an issue of concern. This explains why we engage all tour operators in the tourism industry while we are marketing a destination,” he said.
“We want local tour operators to interface with other foreign tour operators. We will continue to engage them with a view to have them to come on board.”
Only 11 tour operators exhibited on the Zimbabwe stand: the ZTA had offered to foot all the costs of exhibition and stand construction, apart from the operators’ travelling costs.
ZTA said that marketing a destination would be incomplete without service providers interfacing directly with potential clients at such leading travel and tourism exhibitions.
Mr Chagonda said tour operators needed to attend such events at the ITB Berlin to put the country on the world tourism map. But he said he was aware of the challenges operators faced. Germany is the world’s leading player in the travel and tourism industry and its hosting of ITB Berlin presents a major opportunity for countries to meet tourism buyers and sellers.
Participants at the ITB Berlin included travel agents, tour operators, hotel operators, booking agencies and airline operators – among many players drawn across sectors.
In his opening speech at the event, United Nations World Tourism Organisation executive director for competitiveness, external relations and partnerships, Mr Marcio Favilla de Paula, said 2012 was a difficult year for the economy, particularly the European zone.
But he said the economy had managed to grow by 3,8 percent. Growth was stronger in Asia, which registered a 7 percent increase in tourism, Africa 6 percent, the Americas 4 percent while the most visited part of the world – Eastern Europe – grew by 3 percent.
Online Reporter