MUTARE– A recently formed organization which aims at marketing Manicaland province as a prime tourist destination will hold a one day exhibition to promote the limping sector.
The exhibition scheduled for 21 January at Theo’s Coffee House in Harare, will see various players in the tourism and hospitality sector in the province showcasing their services.
William Chitagu, chair of The Eastern Highlands Experience, told 263Chat that this was a prime opportunity for the province to rebrand.
“We are going to hold a one day exhibition for tourism and hospitality players in Manicaland to showcase their services and to market the province as a prime tourist destination.
“The event will be held at Theo’s Coffees House in Harare from 9am to 3am,” he said.
Chitagu said the event was an opportunity for tourism stakeholders to sell their different products, as an effort to resuscitate the industry.
He said the response has been encouraging as registration for exhibitors was progressing well and will close on the 18th of January.
“At the moment we are currently registering those that are going to participate in the event. The registration process is ongoing and we are urging all stakeholders to come and showcase their products.
“We are quite encouraged by the general response of the players in the sector, so far it has been good and we are looking forward to a successful exhibition,” he said.
Tourism has been on the decline in the province as evidenced by the closure of tour operators over the years, while remaining players are downsizing said Chitagu.
“In general the sector has been struggling particularly in the past decade with occupancy on average being less than 50%.
“The absence of tour operators in the province is also an indication that the sector is unhealthy and there is need for collective action to market this province,” said Chitagu.
The Eastern Highlands Experience was formed to bring together players in the tourism and hospitality to market the province a singular destination.
Bart Wursten / February 1, 2016
If one wants to promote an area would it not be wise to actually add an image of the right area and not one of Glencoe, Scotland? It is unfortunate there is always too much misinformation found on the internet
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Sir Nige / February 3, 2016
Thank you for pointing that out.
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