Business / Local
Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo preps intensify
05 Jun 2016 at 08:33hrs | Views
A TOTAL of 120 local and foreign buyers and exhibitors have so far confirmed to take part in this year's Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo to be held from June 16 to 18 in Bulawayo as preparations for the Africa's largest showcase intensify.
The ninth edition of the event will be held at Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority head of corporate affairs, Sugar Chagonda, said in an interview recently that preparations were on course.
He said they were expecting a bigger and better event that would focus more on quality than quantity.
Chagonda said the expo was moved to its founding venue, Bulawayo and it will, in the future, be held in other cities to stimulate growth and development.
"A total of 12 foreign exhibitors, the likes of Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Namibia have confirmed participation while 50 buyers from countries such as the United Kingdom, India, China and South Africa will be part of this event. Response has been overwhelming and we are confident that we will surpass last year's number of exhibitors which was 128. Registration is still in progress and we urge exhibitors to come in their numbers to be part of this year's event which will be bigger and better," said Chagonda.
Most previous editions of the expo have been held in Harare and the return of the Sanganai/Hlanganani to Bulawayo has been viewed as a positive development, as more tourism players in the region will be showcasing their products during the fair.
The event is expected to play a significant role in creating employment and boost downstream industries.
"This year we are putting emphasis on quality not quantity and we are optimistic that the three-day event will provide a productive engagement with regional and international exhibitors. Local industry is ready to capitalise on the synergies and we are working flat out to make sure the event will be a resounding success," he added.
Exhibitors across the country willing to be part of this year's potentially explosive expo have been urged to register through the ZTA offices in their respective regions.
The Eastern Highlands, as one of the country's tourism hubs, is expected to ride on the successes gained by the previous editions and showcase a unique grandeur that the region offers. Hoteliers and tertiary colleges in Manicaland are expected to attend the three-day jamboree in numbers.
Eastern Highlands Experience chairman, William Chatigu, said this was Manicaland's grand opportunity to let the world know about unique and fascinating products the region offers.
"I urge tourism players and other organisations in Manicaland to maximise on such events since it only comes once a year," said Chatigu.
The Expo is an annual tourism trade fair organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. It showcases the widest variety of Africa's best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world.
The fair is the successor of Shanyai/Vakatshani, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (ZITE) that is held annually at the Harare International Conference Centre. ZITE started as a small expo in 1982 and grew over the years to become one of Africa's leading tourism showcases by 2007
The ninth edition of the event will be held at Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority head of corporate affairs, Sugar Chagonda, said in an interview recently that preparations were on course.
He said they were expecting a bigger and better event that would focus more on quality than quantity.
Chagonda said the expo was moved to its founding venue, Bulawayo and it will, in the future, be held in other cities to stimulate growth and development.
"A total of 12 foreign exhibitors, the likes of Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique and Namibia have confirmed participation while 50 buyers from countries such as the United Kingdom, India, China and South Africa will be part of this event. Response has been overwhelming and we are confident that we will surpass last year's number of exhibitors which was 128. Registration is still in progress and we urge exhibitors to come in their numbers to be part of this year's event which will be bigger and better," said Chagonda.
Most previous editions of the expo have been held in Harare and the return of the Sanganai/Hlanganani to Bulawayo has been viewed as a positive development, as more tourism players in the region will be showcasing their products during the fair.
"This year we are putting emphasis on quality not quantity and we are optimistic that the three-day event will provide a productive engagement with regional and international exhibitors. Local industry is ready to capitalise on the synergies and we are working flat out to make sure the event will be a resounding success," he added.
Exhibitors across the country willing to be part of this year's potentially explosive expo have been urged to register through the ZTA offices in their respective regions.
The Eastern Highlands, as one of the country's tourism hubs, is expected to ride on the successes gained by the previous editions and showcase a unique grandeur that the region offers. Hoteliers and tertiary colleges in Manicaland are expected to attend the three-day jamboree in numbers.
Eastern Highlands Experience chairman, William Chatigu, said this was Manicaland's grand opportunity to let the world know about unique and fascinating products the region offers.
"I urge tourism players and other organisations in Manicaland to maximise on such events since it only comes once a year," said Chatigu.
The Expo is an annual tourism trade fair organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. It showcases the widest variety of Africa's best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world.
The fair is the successor of Shanyai/Vakatshani, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (ZITE) that is held annually at the Harare International Conference Centre. ZITE started as a small expo in 1982 and grew over the years to become one of Africa's leading tourism showcases by 2007
Source - Manica Post
