BY MISHMA CHAKANYUKA
THE 12th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo roars into life in Bulawayo tomorrow amid poor exhibitor numbers.
Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is an annual tourism trade fair organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) which showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products and attracts international visitors and media from across the world.
To date, 260 exhibitors have registered to participate, compared to 318 exhibitors recorded in 2018, while 10 countries that have registered to take part include Malawi, Botswana, Nigeria, Kenya, India, South Africa, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Angola and Ethiopia.
The number of buyers for this year’s tourism expo stands at 170, including 25 international media from different source markets which include Europe, Americas, China, Asia, Pacific, Africa and Middle East. The Botswana stand will house over 15 exhibitors.
To maximise interaction between buyers, media and exhibitors, ZTA developed an online appointment system where exhibitors and buyers meet online to make appointments initiated by either the exhibitor or buyer. ZTA also introduced and hosted buyers’ tours.
In terms of space uptake, two halls are being utilised (Hall 3 and 4), with Hall 3 being occupied by the mainstream tourism exhibitors and Hall 4 holding the tourism suppliers, tertiary institutions, rural district councils and small-to-medium enterprises.
ZTA has secured official carriers Air Zimbabwe and Ethiopian Airlines for domestic travel and international travel, respectively.
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In different statements, ZTA spokesperson, Godfrey Koti said they signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ethiopian Airlines and Air Zimbabwe to move visitors between tourism centres.
“The MOU will see Air Zimbabwe joining in the league of Ethiopian Airlines which recently signed an MOU with ZTA last week ahead of the tourism expo scheduled to kick-off on Thursday in Bulawayo,” he said.
“Air Zimbabwe has several flights to the majestic Victoria Falls from Harare and Bulawayo. This year Air Zimbabwe has partnered with us as we host the 12th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo following an MoU between the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Air Zimbabwe,” Koti said.
Ethiopian country manager, Wogayehu Terefe said Ethiopian Airlines offered discounted fares for both business and economy class to international buyers, exhibitors and media travelling to Zimbabwe for the tourism expo.
Koti said some international buyers have already arrived in the country and have started pre-Sanganai/Hlanganani tours to major tourist sites such as Nyanga, Gonarezhou and Victoria Falls.
The national airline will also be exhibiting at the expo and is looking forward to fruitful engagements.
“As an exhibitor at this year’s expo, we are also looking forward to fruitful engagements with the diverse spectrum of domestic, regional and international buyers who are scheduled to attend Sanganai/Hlanganani 2019. The engagements are expected to include the proposed additional domestic routes such as Kariba and Buffalo Range among others.” Air Zimbabwe spokesperson Firstme Vitori said.
