Derick Tsimba
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) will this year hold its 12th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre, the Acting Chief Executive of the regulatory authority has said.
The ZTA Acting Chief Executive Rita Likukuma said this while addressing a press conference in Harare yesterday.
“ZTA has announced this year’s dates of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo. The Fair will be held from 12-14 September 2019 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.
“Registration has opened and exhibition space will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Exhibitors are encouraged to make early bookings to avoid last minute disappointments,” said Likukuma.
She also said this year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is going to focus on serious international buyers who will bring business to Zimbabwe.
“The 2019 edition is expected to host over 100 international buyers from the various source markets. The screening criteria for international buyers will be strict as our focus is to host buyers who are serious about bringing business to Zimbabwe and who also have potential to invest in the tourism industry,” she said.
The ZTA Acting Chief Executive also said all tourism business operators whether small or big had to take up this opportunity to market their businesses internationally.
“I am appealing to every operator throughout the country to come out and take advantage of the fair. No operator is small in tourism as everyone has a market to serve. We want everyone to be present. It is my wish to also have tourism operators and supplies from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” she said.
ZTA will also be offering 10% discount to exhibitors who register for the World Tourism Expo at the ZTA stand during Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) next month.
“In order to give every operator an opportunity to meet with international buyers at Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, the ZTA will be offering a 10% discount to exhibitors who register at the ZTA stand during ZITF. Exhibitors would also be privy to the online meetings diary where they can schedule meetings with international buyers prior to the exhibition,” said LIkukuma.
The Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo platform is created to facilitate business to business meetings all under one roof without incurring huge costs on travel to meet tour operators and wholesalers in the source markets.
The 2018 edition registered 318 exhibitors and it is envisaged that this number will be surpassed given the interest that has come through from first time exhibitors. The 2019 edition is expected to be much bigger and much better, Harare Post has learnt.
