Story by Tichaona Kurewa
HWANGE National Park is set to host the second Enterprise Leaders and Innovators Society for Africa (ELISA) Business Summit this month, a development expected to boost Zimbabwe’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
The summit highlights a growing shift in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, where destinations traditionally known for leisure travel are increasingly attracting high-level business and networking events.
By blending business engagement with the unique appeal of the Hwange wilderness, organisers say the summit will strengthen Zimbabwe’s reputation as a destination capable of hosting global conferences in distinctive natural settings.
Communications Coordinator for the ELISA Business Summit, Mr Denzel Mhepo said the gathering aims to promote entrepreneurship and economic collaboration across the continent.
“What ELISA aims to do is to bring enterprise leaders and innovators together to formulate a society that nurtures emerging entrepreneurs and ensures that Africa’s economy is booming and that we achieve sovereignty as a continent,” Mr Mhepo said.
The summit is expected to attract speakers and delegates from across the world, providing a platform for dialogue on key issues affecting the growth and competitiveness of African businesses.
Coordinator of the Association for Tourism Hwange, Ms Shamah Mawoko, said Hwange’s tourism potential extends beyond its famous wildlife attractions.
“When it comes to Hwange, people always talk about the Big Five and Hwange National Park. It is not only about the Big Five, it’s also about other things,” she said.
As preparations gather momentum, the event is expected to stimulate cross-border business collaborations while positioning Hwange as an emerging destination in Africa’s MICE tourism landscape.
