Zimbabwe’s top tourism exhibition dubbed Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Expo, entered its second day on Friday, October 14, with Rwanda’s stand attracting heightened interest among international and local buyers.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) says there are about 270 international exhibitors that is taking place in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
Exhibitors are drawn from different countries including Germany, UK, US, Middle East, Australia, and India among others.
Other participating African exhibitors were drawn from Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi.
ZTA Chief Executive Officer, Winnie Muchanyuka, told journalists that Zimbabwe managed to surpass the target of exhibitors.
"We had targeted 250 exhibitors, but I can tell you that today we have got 270 that are part of this expo. Some of the African exhibitors are coming from countries such as Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi,” said Muchanyuka
Rwanda’s strategic marketing specialist in the Tourism promotion division, Jean Paul Baruhura told Zimbabwe’s top private commercial radio station, ZiFM Stereo, that Rwanda wants to increase awareness about being a tourism destination and attract tourists visiting southern Africa.
"Coming here, we are looking at increasing awareness about Rwanda as a tourism destination,” Baruhura told the popular radio station in an interview.
"We want to attract a number of tourists who are visiting southern Africa to extend their trip to Rwanda. We have many things to offer. We have ecotourism, we have adventure, we have culture, yes and a vibrant city, Kigali,” he said.
Baruhura added that Rwanda’s private tourism operators should as well engage with industry players from Zimbabwe, the southern Africa region, and international operators and sell packages.
Rwanda’s tourism sector is on a path to full recovery following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions with more than 80 per cent of the players reporting a rebound.
The Sanganai/Hlanganai Tourism Expo is being held after a three-year disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, Zimbabwe’s flagship tourism expo was held in a hybrid format with some exhibitors attending physically while others followed proceedings virtually.