Preparations for the Sanganai/Hlanganani-World Tourism Expo 2022 have engaged into high gear with 100 buyers and 250 exhibitors from regional and international markets registering to be part of the Zimbabwean travel business exchange forum.
The Expo, taking place at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo from 13 – 15 October 2022, will be the first in-person meeting since Covid-19 was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020.
Sanganai/Hlanganani-World Tourism Expo hosted by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is earmarked as the nation’s ideal meeting place for developing quality business relationships and establishing strategic business partnerships with world tourism players. The ZTA expressed excitement over the latest edition of the annual tourism trade fair in a statement.
“We are ready to welcome all our partners from across Africa and beyond to register to attend Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo to #MeetInZim, #VisitZimbabwe and indulge with international hosted buyers and media from key source markets on yet another physical B2B event,”
said ZTA Head Cooperate Affairs, Mr Godfrey Koti.
According to the organisers, exhibitors from South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and the DRC have confirmed attendance. Buyers from Zimbabwe’s traditional source markets ie. the USA, the UK, Germany, China and Dubai are expected to attend.
“We’re very delighted to announce that we have had a very positive response from the international community, particularly the critical source markets that we deal with. We shall be having about 100 quality buyers,”
continued Koti.
Tourism’s Growing Pains
Zimbabwe’s travel and tourism industry although competitive in the SADC region; dropped its contribution to Zimbabwe’s GDP from 5.8% in 2019 to 4.1% in 2020. Earlier this year, a cabinet briefing confirmed the gradual recovery of Zimbabwean Tourism. Its contribution to the 2021 GDP was 4.5% up from 4.1% in 2020 and 1.4% away from it’s previous standing before the pandemic.
According to the ZTA; the expo plays a significant role in attaining the national goal of a $5 billion economy by 2025.
“We are expectant that the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo will also help us to reposition destination Zimbabwe into a world-class marketing platform that will also, in turn, give us the requisite receipts for the tourism sector as we chase our goal of reaching a $5 billion economy by 2025,”
he concluded.
The Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, President Mr Farai Chimba encouraged businesses to jump onto the bandwagon of promoting MICE tourism-related activities. Chimba urged businesses to showcase their tourism products and services on the industry’s biggest stage while also acquiring knowledge about different source markets.
“We are super excited about the return of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo, we look forward to the tourism flagship expo giving us the opportunity to showcase the best of warm hospitality and products,”
Chimba said.
Over the years, Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo has become a popular tourism expo held in Zimbabwe. Each year it has attracted exhibitors, buyers, investors and media persons from the local, regional and international markets. It has also played an important role in promoting Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.