The exhibition has attracted a total of 115 exhibitors from all sectors of the tourism industry local and international players.

“We have 19 foreign exhibitors at this year’s World Tourism Expo and we value our brothers and sisters support”, said Karikoga Kaseke Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Chief Executive Officer.

A total of 80 buyers from across the globe will be coming for this year’s international Expo; with buyers coming from as far as Europe and America.

Decline in the number of buyers has been attributed to the rumors of an Ebola outbreak in the continent and the rigorous selection criteria which ZTA engaged in during the selection of buyer.

“The number of buyers has declined from 123 last year to 80 this year”, said ZTA Chief Executive Officer.

Approximately 30 international buyers canceled their visit to this year’s Expo with fears of an Ebola outbreak in the continent and this contributed towards the decline in the number of buyers.

Mr Kaseke alluded to the fact that such cancellations had cost the tourism industry close to US $6 million as of September 2014.

Though the number of buyers has declined the expo is anticipated to generate a lot of business in the tourism industry as top international tourism players will be taking part at this glamorous event.

A total of 23 buyers from Nigeria and 2 from South Africa where denied participation in this year’s Expo as their business profiles did not meet this year’s Expo’s requirements.

Tesa Chikaponya Zimbabwe Tourism Authority National Convention Bureau Managing Director indicated that stand bookings for this year’s Expo are full as the entire 4058 square meters at the Rainbow Towers had been occupied by exhibitors.

The Expo is not an investment Expo but people who attend take this opportunity to see business opportunities within the Zimbabwe tourism industry and they market the products when they return to their respective countries.