The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
PREPARATIONS for this year’s edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo scheduled for early next month are at an advanced stage, with tourism players in Manicaland aiming to capitalise on the global platform to market their services and products.
The country’s premier international tourism showcase will be held in Bulawayo from October 12 to 14.
The expo is the brainchild of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s chief executive, Ms Winnie Muchanyuka said participants should expect a variety of engaging and interactive activities during the expo, including educational workshops to foster knowledge sharing, networking sessions to foster collaboration among industry experts, and award ceremonies to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions in the tourism sector.
“An exciting array of activities awaits participants. These will include business-to-business meetings for industry players and buyers.
“A Tourism Investment Forum will be held to showcase opportunities that are available to potential tourism sector investors.
“The aviation sector will also converge to talk about various issues affecting the sector. A career guidance session will be held for the upcoming tourism leaders.
“Buyers will take up the usual destination site visits in the different locations across the destination to get an understanding of what the country’s incredible tourist attractions,” she said.
Local tourism players interviewed said past attendances at the expo brought magnificent and positive results to tourism business in terms of building synergies, marketing their products and services, as well as marketing the Eastern Highlands package to the global community.
Eastern Highlands Experience chairman, Mr William Chatigu said: “This is an excellent opportunity for tourism players, particularly hotel and accommodation facilities to make their services and products known globally.
“This is a golden chance that happens only once a year and I believe we need to step up and make the world know about the Eastern Highlands. It should be noted that Zimbabwe tourism is not only about Victoria Falls since the country has a lot more to offer.
“For tourists to come here, they need to know us through these platforms, therefore we should support initiatives such as the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo.”
Last year’s edition of the expo surpassed its target of expected exhibitors.
Manicaland Province had six exhibitors, that is Buhera Rural District Council, Mutare Polytechnic, Mutare City Council, Allied Timbers and Gairezi Development Trust.
Allied Timbers and City of Mutare shone after emerging as first runners-up in the Best Public Institution and Best Publicity Association Stand categories respectively at the Expo’s awards ceremony.
The eventful expo saw 270 exhibitors participating, 20 more than the anticipated number.
Registration for the 2023 edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is now open and can be completed online.
