PART of the 170 international buyers for this year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo has started arriving in the country for the scheduled pre-tours.
According to Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) acting chief executive Givemore Chidzidzi, the arrival of buyers signals the start of the expo.
“For us, Sanganai/Hlanganani has already started with the arrival of the first batch of international buyers in the country.
“We are looking at 170 hosted buyers who are coming and 25 international media houses. There are 260 exhibitors at and also 20 countries.
“Botswana has come up in a big way with 15 exhibitors at Sanganai/Hlanganani,” he said.
Besides Botswana, South Africa which is arguably an important source market for Zimbabwe on the continent is bringing about three provinces to the expo.
Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo which is in its 12th year running since rebranding is critical for the country’s tourism sector as it connects them with buyers from across the world.
Tourism is one of Zimbabwe’s key economic revival pillars together with mining and agriculture, owing to its ability to generate the much needed foreign currency.
Meanwhile, Chidzidzi has revealed that major highlights for this year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo include speed networking, pre-arranged buyers and exhibitors meetings, Tourism Researchers Educators Association workshop and culinary demos among many others.
“As we speak both buyers and sellers will initiate appointments online and they are able to maximize on the platform since there are many buyers and sellers who are coming. So they book for an appointment online and then meet later.
“Another highlight is the famed Speed Networking where buyers and sellers derive maximum value since they meet and interact face to face under one roof.
“The hosted buyers’ tours will also provide ZTA with a win-win situation whereby the service providers have the opportunity to subsidize products and then get the exposure and the publicity they need.
“There would be special events such as the Tourism Researchers Educators Association workshop which is going to become an annual event and there are also culinary Demos whereby people will experience food and culture. The chefs will be showcasing their culinary skills and their innovations,” he said.
The ZTA acting boss also added that there will be a capacity building workshop for Women in Tourism who are currently enjoying a 50% discount on exhibition rates at this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani.
“We are also going to have Women in Tourism Capacity Building Workshop in line with the UNWTO guidelines. We are happy to say most accommodation facilities in the host city Bulawayo are run by women so we are bringing them together to discuss and share ideas. “There is also the Schools’ Quiz on tourism,” he said.
