Zimbabwe's Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbra Rwodzi, accompanied by her deputy Tongai Mnangagwa, announced yesterday that the 17th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo will take place from September 12 to 14 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
Addressing the members of the press yesterday in Harare, Minister Rwodzi said as part of Zimbabwe's Tourism Month celebrations, the expo is one of several events lined up to promote the sector's growth and importance. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has dedicated September 27 as World Tourism Day, with this year's theme being "Tourism and Peace".
This year's Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo promises to be bigger and better, with three conferences, sustainable tourism initiatives, and a gastronomy tourism showcase. The official opening and awards ceremony will take place on September 13, with a special guest of honor to be announced soon.
The expo will feature 21 categories of awards, with three winners in each category: 2nd runner-up, 1st runner-up, and the overall winner. Industry professionals will have the opportunity to connect and network through speed networking sessions and exclusive buyers and media cocktails.
Beyond the expo, a Tourism Symposium is scheduled to take place at Lupane State University on September 19, followed by a sports tournament in Gokwe on September 21. The main World Tourism Day celebrations will be held on September 27.
Zimbabwe has set an ambitious target of generating US$5 billion in tourism revenue by next year, and the Tourism Month celebrations are aimed at raising awareness of the sector's importance. The country's tourism sector is experiencing significant growth, with international arrivals increasing by 27% to 751,483 in the first half of the year, up from 592,567 in the same period in 2023.
The tourism month celebrations are taking place against the backdrop of renewed global tourism recovery, and Minister Rwodzi is confident that Zimbabwe's tourism sector will continue to grow and thrive.
In preparation for the expo, more than 400 companies and eight countries have already registered for the event, which promises to unlock investment opportunities for tourism players. The expo will bring operators from countries such as South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana, making it a key tourism exhibition in Africa.
With the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo just around the corner, Zimbabwe's tourism sector is gearing up for a month-long celebration of all things tourism. Will you be a part of it?
