The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
WITH the countdown to the highly anticipated Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2024 having begun, the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) has confirmed the unwavering commitment of tourism industry stakeholders towards delivering unparalleled services to guests.
The 64th edition of the ZITF will run from 23 to 27 April in Bulawayo under the theme “Innovation: The Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade,” and preparations are in full swing as businesses are putting final touches to the prestigious international trade showcase.
In an interview with Sunday Business, HAZ second vice-president and chairperson of the Bulawayo Chapter, Mr Kudzai Ratisai, emphasised the sector’s dedication to offer exceptional experiences to attendees.
Mr Kudzai Ratisai
“The operators are busy putting final touches on sprucing up their products in preparation for the ZITF 2024 arrivals. Almost all hotels and lodges are now fully booked and now finalising on payments.
“HAZ Bulawayo Chapter recently held a meeting with ZITF Company and the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to discuss our preparations for the premier trade showcase. The ZITF chief executive officer (CEO) during this meeting also called for restraint on room prices and the bulk of our players indicated that they kept the 2023 rates,” he said.
“The players are also working on putting in place the necessary equipment and staff training so that we provide world-class service to our customers. As HAZ we would encourage those who are still looking for ZITF accommodation to contact the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Bulawayo office or HAZ directly to get assistance looking for alternative guest houses and independent houses.”
He said the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) will also be working on ensuring the provision of social services and sprucing up roads and lighting around hospitality and tourism facilities in the city.
The City Hall which houses the Bulawayo City Council chambers
Mr Ratisai said security and comfort of guests remain key during the ZITF period, while the entertainment sector is also busy lining up events for the period.
“HAZ is encouraging our visitors to enjoy Bulawayo during ZITF and the various tourist places all around this rich heritage city,” he said.
Mr Ratisai who is also the Cresta Churchill general manager, said like the other major hotels his was already fully booked and paid up with a large number of enquiries still on the waiting list.
“The 2024 bookings have seen a significant growth of corporate organisations which shows a renewed interest from this sector compared to previous years. We also have a lot more bookings from foreign organisations and embassies outside our traditional customers, while a lot of organisations concluded their bookings well in advance,” he said.
Business lobby group, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland Chapter chairman, Mr Bekezela Moyo said ZITF every year brings the city alive.
“As ZNCC we are delighted that the city will be hosting the 64th edition of the ZITF and as the theme for this year elucidates the event is dubbed to create a cross-pollination of already established businesses as well as entrepreneurs not only in Bulawayo but all over the globe.
“We are expecting to realise an exchange of ideas and a shared platform on varied expertise across all sectors. This will ultimately build on to boost industrialisation in the city and the country as a whole,” he said.
“Some of the important aspects to note is that ZITF positions the country among other competitors around the globe and this encourages us to embrace innovation and technological advancement so that we are not left behind as a country.”
He said not only did the trade showcase bring a lot of business to sectors such as tourism and hospitality but others like the transport.
Mr Moyo said all hoteliers get to be fully subscribed by visitors, while attraction sites are visited.
“This brings about a good boost on tourism as our city and region get an opportunity to showcase the tourism footprint of Matabeleland. In a nutshell these being Matopos, Khami Ruins and the majestic Victoria Falls. As a city we are privileged to host the international exhibition,” he said.
Meanwhile, as of Thursday, the ZITF Company said 98 percent of space capacity with 517 exhibitors had taken up 48 881 square metres of the set aside 49 499.
ZITF Company board chairman, Mr Busisa Moyo said: “All exhibition halls and individual pavilions are now full and we will be erecting a marquee to house the many exhibitors who have been put on the waiting list. International participation is also very strong.”
He said to date, they have confirmed exhibits from 27 countries compared to last year’s closing total of 21 countries represented.
The President of the Republic of Kenya, Dr William Ruto, is set to officially open this year’s trade showcase.
