PREPARATIONS for the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo have picked up a gear with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) working around the clock to ensure the expo provides the best of what Zimbabwe has to offer.
Zimbabwe is set to host Africa’s Premier Business Exchange, the 12th Edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, at a time the country has intensified re-engagement efforts.
The World Tourism Expo —an annual Tourism Trade Fair organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) — runs from 12 to 14 September 2019 at the ZITF Exhibition Center in Bulawayo.
Commenting on the preparations Butholezwe Nyathi who is part of LOC in Bulawayo said Zimbabwe’s second-largest city was ready to welcome the world.
“It’s a matter of days before the 12th edition kicks off and as a representative of the Local Organising Committee we are delighted, adrenaline is kicking in. We are looking forward to receiving tourists from the broader continent of Africa and beyond,” Nyathi said.
“On our part, we are seized with making sure that our preparations are heightened so that people see the best that Zimbabwe has to offer in terms of the tourism product in its multi-faceted nature.”
He continued: “One of the elements that we are excited about this year is the visit by three provincial tourism councils from South Africa.
“Those who know our tourism history will know that South Africa has been a traditional source market for tourists and that tourism is also playing its part in the ongoing re-engagement process.
“Tourism is also playing its part leveraging on the historical relations we have with South Africa all in an effort to ensure the sector contributes to the broader agenda under Vision 2030. So, in essence, Bulawayo looks forward to receiving Africa and the world,” he said.
To date, Sanganai/ Hlanganani has over 250 registered local and international exhibitors with more expected to come on board. Exhibitor registration will close on Friday 30 August.
ZTA head of Corporate Affairs Godfrey Koti, who spoke from Bulawayo encouraged exhibitors, visitors buyers, investors to use the opportunity to establish strategic business partnerships with world tourism players.
“We can confirm that preparations are at an advanced stage for this mega event and already we have over 250 exhibitors who have registered,” Koti said.
“About 20 countries have confirmed their participation and these include India, China, Italy, Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique have confirmed participation,” he continued.
“This is going to be a two-day event in which we seek to showcase and promote Zimbabwe for MICE, which is Meetings, Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions.”
“We are promoting Zimbabwe as a MICE-destination where people come and converge. We want to use this event to further promote the idea, especially with the fact that this exposition is registered under the United Nations World Tourism Organisation calendar,” he added.
