Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Africa Fair 2012

All is set for AFRICA'S SECOND LARGEST TOURISM EXPO - Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Africa Fair 2012. Indications show a bigger better travel expo as ZTA has changed it's traditional methods of buyer invitations and also introduced the business-to-business method of buyer-exhibitor interface

ZTA Chief Executive - Mr. Karikoga Kaseke after addressing 2012 Sanganai/ Hlanganani Stakeholders

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) will this year host its annual flagship event Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Africa Fair at the Harare International Conference Centre inside the Rainbow Tourism Group’s – Rainbow Towers Hotel from 18-21 October.

The four day event paired off as ‘Where the World meets Africa’ is this year running under the theme “Celebrating Africa’s Tourism Diversity”.

This year ninety five (95) international buyers – tourism operators, media and tourism investors- from world tourism markets such as China, Germany, United States of America, United Arab Emirates and France have confirmed attendance with a 20 member delegation from China having arrived last night. 82 foreign exhibitors including big players in the tourism industry such as Air France and KLM are this year participating at Sanganai/Hlanganani, arguably making this the highest participation of international exhibitors at any exhibition show in Zimbabwe to date.

This year’s expo shows exciting growth with exhibition space bookings exceeding expectations being overbooked by about 1300 square metres. A total of 244 stands have been booked of which over 700 exhibitors are expected to showcase.

Chinese Buyers arrive at the Harare International Airport for Sanganai/Hlanganani 2012

Another noteworthy change to arguably Africa’s second largest tourism expo after South Africa’s Tourism Indaba is the exhibitor – buyer pre-match program that will this year be implemented. This makes Sanganai/Hlanganani one of the first business-to-business tourism fairs in Africa ahead of South Africa’s Tourism Indaba.

The pre-match outlines properly laid out itineraries for buyers to actually meet and interact with exhibitors rather than what used to be the case in preceding years where buyers would spend valuable time milling about in search for business encounters.

After launching the Zimbabwe A World of Wonders brand in many tourism source markets, Zimbabwe has been a destination of interest evidenced by the noted increase in international enquiries and arrivals especially to Africa’s adventure capital Victoria Falls, which happens to be Zimbabwe’s key selling point.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority organised - Sanganai/Hlanganani is intended for national tourism boards and destinations, embassies, international airlines, tour businesses, leading hotel chains of the world, car hire and transport operators, suppliers of goods and services to the tourism industry and investors.

ZTA Spokesperson - Sugar Chagonda addresses local media and the just arrived Chinese delegation

This year’s program will include:

·         A Buyers’ Cocktail on 18 October 2012 at The Cresta Lodge

·         Exhibitor Awards on 19 October 2012 at The Rainbow Tours

·         Official Opening Ceremony – Rainbow Towers Hotel – 20 October

·         Urban Footsteps Township Tourism Program – Street Carnival – 20 October

·         Tourism Night – 20 October

What then may be needed by the ZTA is to come up with a proper tracking system to see how much actual business comes to Zimbabwe through Sanganai/Hlagnganani to validate their investment on hosting buyers.