Over 30 foreign exhibitors register for tourism expo
Story by Memory Chamisa
MORE than 30 foreign exhibitors have taken up space at this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo set for Bulawayo next month.
Out of a target of 300 exhibitors, 276 have so far registered for the 16th edition of the expo to run from the 12th to the 14th of October.
Not only has the expo attracted regional exhibitors, but there has also been an international appeal with over 100 buyers from the USA, Asia and the UK having shown interest.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive officer Ms Winnie Muchanyuka highlighted the significance of local exhibitors in attracting regional and international buyers in the sector.
“As the tourism sector, we are also looking forward to hosting 100 buyers from our traditional and emerging source markets namely, America, United Kingdom, China, Asia and the Pacific, Australia and Africa, evidence of the Expo’s increasing international appeal. We are still having more buyers expressing interest.
“The buyers embark on pre and post-familiarisation tours of the various tourism destinations across Zimbabwe. This is expected to generate interest in the destination so that they consider Zimbabwe to be a destination of choice. And for our locals, we have realised we must ensure they are also getting training in marketing their products.
“In 2023 we look forward to over 4 000 face-to-face meetings surpassing the 2000 achieved in 2022, owing to the increased number of exhibitors and local corporates speed networking,” she said.
The Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is an annual tourism trade fair, organised by the ZTA to showcase the finest range of Zimbabwe’s tourism products.
The exhibition also fosters the development of the local tourism industry, with initiatives meant to support local businesses, entrepreneurship and provide training and education opportunities for the workforce.
