Government says it has availed a cash facility for local and foreign exhibitors as well as buyers ahead of this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo set for Thursday this week in Bulawayo.
Addressing the media in Harare last week, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Anastacia Ndlovu dismissed fears that foreign buyers will face difficulties in trading with local exhibitors due to non-availability of cash on the market.
“We have set aside a fund for buyers to use during the Expo and it will be enough. And as you might be aware, whenever foreigners are coming into the country, they carry with them plastic money so that will also come handy in addressing cash shortages,” she said.
There have been fears by local exhibitors that they will not be able to benefit from the Expo due to lack of cash.
The 10th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo kicks off in Bulawayo on the 27th of this month with more than 240 foreign buyers expected in the country for the three day Expo which coincide with the commemorations of the World Tourism Day.
Zimbabwe has in recent days faced a threatening cash crunch that has seen forex dealers cash in on the huge demand for hard currency.
Said Ndlovu “Zimbabwe will commemorate the World Tourism day ahead of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo.
“We have lined up a number of programs ahead of this day which includes a clean-up campaign and some quiz shows which are meant to promote the growth of Tourism in the country.”
Meanwhile, International buyers have started trickling in the country ahead of the 10th edition of the Tourism Expo.
The 10th edition of the expo will run concurrently with the Intwasa Festival of Arts.
