THE United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly, which was co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia between August 24 and 29, left artistes who exhibited their wares counting their losses after failing to rake in the anticipated profits.
Melissa Mpofu
There were two exhibition points during the general assembly, one ideally located near the conference centre at the Elephant Hills Hotel and the other at the hotels’ golf course.
The front exhibition was mainly for those selling craft ware, while the one at the back comprised telecommunications companies, airlines and tour operators, among others.
Although exhibitors who spoke to NewsDay said they had high expectations of business ahead of the assembly, they were disappointed in the end.
Enock Korimbo, who does batik, tye and dye, and African clothes, confirmed that business was low.
“Business during the UNWTO general assembly was very low because most delegates didn’t know about this exhibition place or they were generally not buying because even those exhibiting in front of the hotel said they had no sales like us,” he said.
He admitted that he only realised afterwards that the assembly was a high–level meeting of tourism officials and international private sector players and not a trade fair.
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A craft artist who travelled from Harare, Tonderai Hakurekwi, said his trip to Victoria Falls was a waste.
“Coming here was not worth it because we didn’t sell anything. We are actually running at a loss. We hoped to get customers, but that was never to be. So this was a wasted trip,” he said.
Another exhibitor said they had been told by Tourism ministry officials that they would market their products to delegates and possibly have business opportunities from the event, but that was not the case.
“On the Zambian side, it’s the same story, meaning delegates were generally not buying. About 90% of the exhibitors here didn’t sell anything, if they did, they made less than $20,” he said.
Another exhibitor from Mvurwi said they had exhibited at the general assembly courtesy of Small-to-Medium Enterprises and had learnt from the event.
“We learnt that next time there will be a tourism function, we should not attend hoping to leave with money, but that we will meet people referred to as buyers who will be interested in our products. When we go back home, these people will likely place orders and we will supply our products to them,” she said.
Some of the exhibitors had no bus fare to go back home as they did not make enough money during the fare.
The Tourism ministry later came to their rescue when it gave them $300 each and provided them with transport back home.
Only those who did their research such as Masimba Matyatya and his band, Wedande and Dandemutande from Beitbridge benefited through some cultural exchanges.
“As artistes, we benefited in terms of cultural exchanges. We learnt to play some instruments that we saw from other artistes who came to grace this conference.
“From an economic point of view, our CDs and clothing wares were bought by people from Japan, Australia and New Zealand. This definitely helped us to spread our wings far. The co-hosting helped us too to go further afield in Zambia and mix and mingle with artistes there,” Matyatya said.
Econet Wireless and NetOne stands were busy throughout the assembly as their local customers made enquiries on their various promotions, while others took the opportunity to purchase and register their lines.
Most of the sellers though remained optimistic that the delegates would come and purchase their goods after their meetings, but realised that would not be so after the delegates moved to Livingstone, Zambia, which was co-hosting the assembly.
Though artists displayed quality products such as artefacts and curios during the week-long tourism indaba, delegates, especially foreigners, did not tour the stands due to tight schedules.
The stands were mainly visited by locals who were either exhibiting too or those who had no access to the meetings.
