Due to the COVID-19 situation, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is set to hold its first ever virtual Sanganani/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo exhibition.
The 13th edition of the travel and tourism expo will take place online from October 22 to 23, 2020.
With this, the Sanganai/Hlanganani Virtual platform will be joining the likes of Akwaaba African Travel Market, the leading Pan-African Tourism Expo as one of the major travel and tourism expo to be hosted in Africa, without resorting to outright cancellation or postponement, and it promises to deliver a first-class platform for exhibitors and buyers.
The virtual exhibition forms part of the Tourism Recovery Plan that with the aim of achieving a US$5 billion economy by 2025. The Zimbabwe government recently reopened the tourism sector and this development is likely to boost both domestic and international visits to local attractions.
The last six months have been a trying time for the events and exhibitions industry with an uncertain future. However, with innovation or adaptation from exhibition organisers and venues. Digital platforms now offer greater opportunities and will break the crisis that had paralysed the tourism industry.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has taken the decision to adapt and create an immersive multi-media experience for businesses seeking to market their goods and services in a world locked down by COVID-19 restrictions.
‘’The virtual platform offers flexibility to schedule, book and hold meetings from the comfort of one’s office or home. To date more than 150 local and international exhibitors have registered to interact with more than 100 top buyers from across the globe’’ said Ms Pauline Ndlovu the Acting Executive Director for National Convention Bureau (NCB).
The platform will feature interactive webinar sessions with professionals that are aimed at equipping the industry and the public with the latest tourism trends. The webinars will also touch on key issues that will include strategies to be employed by the industry to improve our capacity as a destination to recover and grow our sector during and post the COVID-19 era.
Destination presentations will share the state of preparedness of tourism venues and facilities throughout the country. Participants will be able to interact with presenters so they may be able to address their concerns.
The Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Virtual Expo will be officially opened online on Thursday 22 October 2020. Online registration for participants is already open. Zimbabweans are encouraged to join the discussions or follow the discussions on the ZTA’s social media platforms.
