eBusiness Weekly
Michael Tome
HARARE – Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) last week signed a memorandum of understanding with African aviation giant Ethiopian airlines to be the official airline for the 12th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani world tourism expo to be held towards the end of this month in Bulawayo.
The Expo is a reputable annual tourism trade fair that attracts exhibitors and buyers from world over to meet and network.
ZTA’s head of Corporate Affairs, Godfrey Koti said, the country was pleased to have partnerships of such magnitude as they promote convenient movement of visitors and as well encourages trade in the tourism sector.
“This MOU will go a long way in positioning Zimbabwe as a destination of choice in the international community and we envisage that this partnership will be extended to tourists visiting Zimbabwe not just for the tourism expo, but throughout the year,” said Koti.
Koti also revealed that some international buyers have already arrived in the country and have started pre-Sanganai/Hlanganani tours to Nyanga, Gonarezhou and Victoria Falls.
The tours will cover the whole of Zimbabwe and will give the buyers first-hand experience of the tourist destinations and activities available for visitors to Zimbabwe.
Speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Ethiopian airlines country manager, Mrs Wogayehu Terefe indicated that the airline which already plies the Harare route was offering reduced fares for international entourage travelling to the fair.
“Ethiopian Airlines has offered heavily discounted fares for both business and economy class to international buyers, exhibitors and media traveling to Zimbabwe for the tourism expo. Ethiopian airline operates daily flights into Harare and flies five times a week to Victoria Falls since 2017. Ethiopia is one of the biggest connection hubs in Africa, linking over 120 destinations in the world. Ethiopian airlines has been flying into Zimbabwe for over four decades” said Mrs Terefe.
This year’s edition of the annual tourism expo will be held in Bulawayo at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZITF Grounds) from September 12 -14, 2019 and over 280 buyers, exhibitors and media are expected to attend and expo.
