Zimbabwe will be participating in the FITUR ( Feria Internacional de Turismo/ International Tourism Trade Fair ) in Madrid, Spain from the 18th to the 22nd of January. The trade fair is holding it’s 37th staging and Zimbabwe is participating for the 9th time. This year, FITUR is running under the theme ‘Sustainable Tourism’ and was organised by IFEMA (Institución Ferial de Madrid). The Zimbabwean delegation will be led by the Minister of Tourism and Industry, Dr. Walter Mzembi. The delegation will be formed by member of the ministry and the Zimbabwean Tourism authority. The fair will be “offering of 9,672 tourism companies, institutions and bodies from 165 countries and regions”, according to the FITUR press release. Participants at the trade fair include, but are not limited to, hotels, trade associations, national tourist boards and many other stakeholders with interests in the world’s tourism industry. From the 18th to the 20th, the exhibition will be open to trade visitors only and will only be open to the public on the 21st and 22nd. FITUR will be opened by their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain on the 18th.
In a press release, ZTA Chief Executive Mr Karigoka Kaseke said
“FITUR offers an opportunity for Zimbabwe to leverage on the existing relations as well as forge strategic partnerships that are of essence to the promotion of Zimbabwe tourism in the global sphere”.
Dr. Mzembi is vying for the position of UNWTO Secretary General and he’ll be launching his campaign at a reception in Madrid on the 19th. He will be expected to provided an outline of his plans if he is elected to lead the body. Zimbabwe will also be hoping to have an increased influx of tourists from Europe after FITUR. Over the past year, Zimbabwe has seen a 28% increase in tourist arrivals from Europe.
The press release from the Zimbabwean Tourism Authority can be found here FITUR 2017 Press release (2) (002)
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