By Byron Mutingwende
All is set for the three-day Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Harare – setting the tone for Zimbabwe to showcase its tourism richness as the event brings together exhibitors, investors and buyers in the sector.
Speaking to The Zimbabwe Sentinel on Monday, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) chief executive Karikoga Kaseke said the expo was an opportunity for local players in the sector to establish strategic business partners with other world tourism players, showcase their destination and acquire knowledge on different source markets.
“Delegates, exhibitors, investors and buyers would derive value from well structured, themed and informative international tourism conferences and workshops that are lined up during the expo. There will also be opportunities for interaction with travel media from all corners of the world as well as establishment of strategic partnerships with other destinations,” Kaseke said.
He said Zimbabwe is one of the countries in Southern Africa that is endowed with places that are unique in landscape and rich in culture and heritage. Kaseke hailed the local people’s friendliness, hospitality and warmth, coupled with the country’s “sound infrastructure that enables visitors to explore the country extensively, allowing them to indulge in the luxury fit-for-kings-and queens five star hotels and lodges; yet others will tell you about our magnificent natural wonders like the Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi River, the ancient Baobab trees, the precariously balancing rocks found in many parts of the country as well as intricate ecosystems and biodiversity.”
The past editions of Sanganai/Hlanganani were a resounding success and attracted leading African destinations and major tourism markets such as South Africa, Botswana, Malaysia, China, Zambia and Italy just to mention a few and this year is expected to be better.
This year’s event will run for three days starting on Thursday 18 June and ending on Saturday 20 June 2015.
The last day of the event – Saturday will be open to the public at the Rainbow Towers Hotel where the organisers will unveil holiday packages for the whole family and other tourism related promotions.
Children will be treated to jumping castles, water slides, quiz competitions and candy floss for free to add icing to the cake of entertainment.
Despite the above rosy picture of the event, Philmon Mutukwa has dismissed Sanganai/Hlanganani as one of the “usual empty mantras which have become synonymous with Zimbabwean policymakers.”
He urged the government to address structural issues like the image of the country at international level if it was to be considered serious about attracting tourists and investors.
“The extent to which the state is capable of respecting people’s fundamental human rights and liberties plays an important role in determining the number of tourists it can attract to itself.” Mutukwa said.
Another citizen, Webster Jiti said “The trend of tourism the world over has shifted from the traditional approach of natural wonders to man-made features and the state of affairs of a particular people. With our depleted infrastructure whereby the road network is in a sorry state and there is high unemployment and an unhappy majority of the people, there is really nothing to attract tourism in the country,” Jiti said.
He said Dubai and Johannesburg do not have natural features of substance to talk about but still attract people, in contrast to Mzembi’s mantra which hinged tourism success on the Victoria Falls and game parks.
However tourism has been a revenue earner for the country in the last few years. The conference is expected to provide a platform for tourism players to deliberate on how they can grow the sector.
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