Harare Post Correspondent

Zimbabwe's status as a burgeoning hub for global tourism was underscored on October 12, 2023, with the inauguration of the annual Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.

This year's theme, "Tourism Investment: Re-imagining Sustainable Partnerships", not only resonated with the attendees but also marked a milestone in the event's history. Renowned tourism luminaries from Spain, Malaysia, Rwanda, the USA, China, Germany, Mozambique, and Malawi converged on this grand stage, showcasing the expo's expanding international appeal.

Soo Chee Ping, the head of the Malaysian delegation, expressed his enthusiasm about Malaysia's inaugural presence at the Expo.

He shared with our team, “This is our first time here, and we applaud the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) for the warm welcome. The environment is impressive, granting us a chance to delve into markets beyond Asia.”

Chee Ping further illuminated the potential of Zimbabwe, noting, “Zimbabwe boasts a plethora of tourism opportunities ripe for Malaysia. We are eager to forge stronger partnerships and foster a vibrant cultural exchange programme to mutually elevate both our tourism sectors.”

Similarly, the sentiments of Spain's representative, Sandra Gomez Roman, highlighted the expo's growing repute.

"The ambiance here is inviting. It's our first foray into Sanganai/Hlanangani, aiming to discover fresh markets. Our findings here have emboldened us to extend our outreach, not just within Zimbabwe but spanning the entire SADC region,” Roman articulated.

The Expo's success was not lost on the ZTA's Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Winnie Muchanyuka.

She extolled, “The outpouring of positive feedback from premier international tourism entities has been overwhelming. We’ve noticed a remarkable surge in new participants, especially from regions like Asia, the Pacific, and Europe. Notably, countries like Spain, Malaysia, and Poland are gracing this platform for the very first time. It's indeed an encouraging evolution.”

Spearheaded jointly by the ZTA and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the expo serves as a nexus for both local and global tourism stakeholders.

It provides fertile ground for networking, collaborations, and discovering the myriad opportunities that the world of tourism has to offer.