AFRICA Conservation Travel Director Shelley Cox has revealed that they have organised together with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to bring acclaimed conservationist Holly Budge to Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo to offer inspiration to women who are in the tourism sector.
Women in the tourism industry are expected to come in a big way to this year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani following the official launch of the Women in Tourism by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and setting up of provincial structures among many other developments.
In a statement, Cox said she is excited by the inclusion of women at this year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani and that the presence of Budge (Holly) will go a long way in helping them to think big.
“…Working with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, we have managed to arrange for the internationally acclaimed female adventurer, conservationist, and motivational speaker Holly Budge to join the workshop in an effort to encourage women in tourism to think big and dream bigger.
“I am particularly excited about the inclusion of a “Women in Tourism” capacity building workshop which has been included in this year’s conference to empower and equip women in the industry with the necessary skills to enhance the development and rise of women in the industry,” she said.
Budge is a world record adventurer and conservationist with two world records under her belt, including being the first woman to skydive Everest and race semi-wild horses 1000 kilometres across Mongolia in just nine days.
Her other achievements include summiting Everest, leading an expedition on the technical mountain, Ama Dablam, in Nepal and making a successful first ascent in the Altai Mountains.
Meanwhile, Cox has also revealed that her company Africa Conservation Travel) is looking forward to meeting with international buyers and media at Sanganai/Hlanganani.
“As the annual Sanganai World Tourism Expo approaches, we at Africa Conservation Travel are looking forward to connecting with the international and regional buyers and media who will be attending, to showcase all that Zimbabwe has to offer from a Tourism and Conservation perspective,” she said.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has since urged exhibitors, buyers and visitors to use the expo to establish strategic business partnerships with world tourism players.
“We are excited by the calibre of exhibitors and buyers from outside the country. At this time we can confirm that preparations are at an advanced stage for this mega event and already we have over 250 exhibitors who have registered and most of our international buyers and exhibitors have started arriving.
“About 20 countries have confirmed their participation these include India, China, Italy, Nigeria, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique have confirmed participation.
“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,” said ZTA.
