By MKHOKHELI ZIBENGWA
The highly anticipated 17th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo has kicked off in style at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.
The expo, which began on Wednesday, is set to conclude on Saturday.
The first day of the expo was marked by the Zimbabwe Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) masterclass, where industry experts gathered to share notes on how to improve MICE tourism in the country.
During the MICE Master Class, the Deputy Minister of Tourism & Hospitality Industry, Hon. Tongai Mnangagwa, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of MICE tourism as a strategic priority within the Ministry's Tourism Clusters. He emphasized that this focus will help position Zimbabwe as a premier destination for global events and conferences.
The expo has attracted over 400 exhibitors drawn from seven countries. This premier event brings together tourism industry players from across the globe, providing a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products and services, network with potential customers, and explore new business opportunities.
The Speed Networking Session at the ongoing Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo has witnessed over 400 business meetings between buyers and exhibitors. This year's edition stands out for its further enhanced quality and the growing number of buyers with a keen interest in packaging Zimbabwe's tourism offerings.
Today's key program at the expo was the Scholastic Tourism Conference, where academics, educational institutions, learners, and tourism stakeholders gathered to discuss the theme, "Leveraging Heritage Based Education 5.0 for the Development of Tourism and Hospitality in Zimbabwe." The theme realizes the importance of education in sustainable and modern tourism that is driven by research and understanding of changing trends.
The conference was graced by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Hon Barbara Rwodzi.
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 official opening and awards ceremony will take place on September 13, with a special guest of honor to be announced soon.
Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo is an annual Tourism Trade Fair organized 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.
With so much happening at this year's expo, there's still more to come! Stay tuned for more updates, and don't miss out on the exciting activities and events lined up for the rest of the expo. We'll be sharing more highlights and insights from the expo, so be sure to check back for more!
