The Sunday News
From Roberta Katunga in Harare
GOVERNMENT has directed the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry to migrate the Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo to other areas in the country so as to spread its benefits amid calls for the next edition to be held in Bulawayo where there are adequate facilities. Speaking at the official opening of the 8th edition of the expo at the Harare International Conference Centre on Friday, Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre, also known as the Trade Fair, had adequate facilities for an exhibition of that nature.
This year’s edition of Sanganai/ Hlanganani was held from 18-20 June under the theme “Promoting Peace Through Tourism’’.
“Government directs that the next edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani be held in Bulawayo at the Trade Fair. When more appropriate exhibition centres are developed in places like the Victoria Falls and elsewhere, Zimbabwe will be able to migrate this economic activity and spread its benefits to other centres,” said Cde Mnangagwa.
VP Mngangagwa said Government was committed to funding the travel show to ensure that it grows to the same level of other fairs elsewhere in the region.
He emphasised on the critical importance of tourism to the national economy.
“Government will henceforth put its money where its mouth is . . . I would like to assure all tourism stakeholders that Government will adequately fund tourism promotion and ensure that the image of the country is not negatively affected by a reluctant and hesitant presence in the different markets,” said VP Mnangagwa.
He said the success of tourism also depended on the development of appropriate infrastructure like the Victoria Falls airport expansion project that is due for completion in September as well as enabling sectors like ports of entry.
“Government will attend to all the obstacles and cumbersome procedures at border posts. The problems at the ports of entry have cost us substantially in lost tourist traffic revenue from our biggest single market, South Africa,” said VP Mnangagwa.
Speaking on domestic tourism, VP Mnangagwa challenged the tourism industry to take the local market seriously and acknowledged the implementation of the Know your Zimbabwe campaign.
He said it was of paramount importance for locals to familiarise themselves with destinations of a tourist nature available in the country.
“Tourism thrives on a peaceful environment and it is a people industry. The theme is appropriate given the numerous conflicts in some parts of the world today. Let tourism be the peace builder as it is a means to promote cultural understanding and encompasses poverty alleviation as well as sustainability,” said VP Mnangagwa.
According to the ZTA, this year’s edition saw a big improvement in participation with 110 buyers and 27 media compared to 66 buyers and 10 international media hosted in 2014.
“This has been so despite the fact that the planning period was very limited due to the shift of dates to the first half of the year,” said Mr Karikoga Kaseke.
The buyers and international media engaged in pre and post-destination familiarisation tours and areas covered by the international buyers during pre-tours included Kariba, Eastern Highlands, Mutare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Matopo, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
