eBusiness Weekly
Business Writer
The 15th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo would be hosted virtually for the second time this year in line with the Covid-19 mitigation measures.
The organisers of the premier tourism expo, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), said the event would be held at the end of October.
The virtual system was developed in-house and has since been upgraded to include an “on demand” meeting requests platform and a virtual auditorium.
“The 15th edition of the internationally acclaimed, Sanganai/Hlanganani- World Tourism Expo will be hosted virtually from 27–29 October 2021,” said ZTA in a statement.
“The virtual system, which was developed in-house by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has since undergone enhancements to include an ‘on-demand’ meeting requests platform, live HD video conferencing and a virtual auditorium for interactive webinar sessions as well as virtual exhibitor booths.”
ZTA acting chief executive, Givemore Chidzidzi, has stressed the need to enhance features of the platform in order to remain competitive and keeping abreast with international virtual platform.
“Furthermore, the platform has become more user friendly as participants can now schedule meetings using their respective time zones,” he said.
The recruitment of international buyers for this year’s edition has commenced with ZTA optimistic that new buyers would participate at this year’s event.
Recently, ZTA collaborated with Rida International Travel Solutions to promote destination Zimbabwe to over 400 buyers from South East Asia.
The tourism authority has adapted to the new normal in the wake of the pandemic, which now defines how to engage with the markets.
Zimbabwe has remained connected to the market through various platforms and membership in international associations from key source markets such as Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) United Kingdom and Anerkannte Spezialisten fuer Afrika-Reisen (ASA) Germany.
ZTA has noted that through these partnerships, the destination has continued to receive the much-needed exposure through engagements that have been facilitated by the associations.
“Sanganai/Hlanganani — World Tourism Expo has remained relevant during these trying times and this year’s edition is expected to supersede the successes achieved during the 2020 edition.
“Registration for exhibitors opens on 15 September and the meetings diary will open in the first week of October,” said the authority.
This year’s edition will see a series of webinars being hosted and will touch on topical issues including the market perspective webinar session where agents from key source markets will share insights on the changing global trends due to the effects of the pandemic.
