5 Oct, 2022
Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo
International tourism exhibitors and buyers comprising international travel agents and travel trade partners, as well as international travel media companies and journalists have trickled in Zimbabwe for this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
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. There are signs of a recovery in the Zimbabwe tourism sector. Other long-haul destinations, are pumping energy and resources coming to the this years tourism expo
International buyers are looking forward to 15th Edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo to be held from 13 to 15 October at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.
This year’s Expo is expected to attract over 100 international buyers. The expo is expected to continue to play a role in unifying the region into one multi-attraction tourist destination.
Some regional and international buyers from source markets have started arriving in Zimbabwe in time for the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Expo.
Pre and post tours have been put in place which will see buyers visiting most key destinations which include Matobos, Hwange, Victoria Falls, Mana Pools, Kariba, Eastern Highlands, Masvingo, Gonarezhou and many others.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Head Corporate Affairs Godfrey Koti confirmed they were already receiving buyers for pre-tours.
“It is just a few days to go to Sanganai/Hlanganani World Expo and we have started welcoming regional and international buyers to Zimbabwe!
“The buyers will undertake pre-tours to tourist destinations across the country ahead of the expo,” Koti said.
Double Tracks Africa owner Vincent Kokomane, arrived in the country on the 4th of October. I personally travel for Sanganai to experience the destination offerings, try out the different styles of accommodations, to see different routes, terrains and experience first hand for our clients. He is looking forward to experience the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe to sell it to his USA market.
Mr Yunsuk Jin, a leading South Korean tour operator, confirmed that they had booked a pre-tour which will see them visit the majestic Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Bulawayo and Harare. He said it was his hope that he will be able to explore the expo and sell Zimbabwe’s tourism products in his home country and Asia at large.
“We are attending Sanganai/Hlanganani as buyers and looking forward to meeting the rest of the world at this tourism exchange. Before 2019, as a company we used to bring about 3 000 South Korean tourists into the country and we hope to continue after this year’s edition of the expo. We want to enhance our knowledge and experience about destinations we have since booked to take part in a pre-tour that covers Bulawayo, Masvingo, the Eastern Highlands and Harare,” he said.
With a company that already has a presence in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Mr Jin said his company has a 80 percent market share of operators that bring tourists to Africa.
American, Ms Kirsten Lebreux who works with an operator that specialises in custom tours all round the world said she was looking forward to seeing what the country has for tourists.
“Zimbabwe is one of my favourite places in the world and I am so excited at the opportunity to be at Sanganai/Hlanganani to reconnect with old friends and industry partners. I want to be able to pick as much information as possible and share it with friends and industry colleagues back at home,” said Ms Lebreux.
Buyers have been drawn from key source markets which include Germany, United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Bostwana, Australia, Zambia, India, Kenya, and many others .
