By Conrad Mwanawashe
Buyers and exhibitors at the 15th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo will have access to live HD video conferencing and a virtual auditorium for interactive webinar sessions as well as virtual exhibitor booths following improvements of the virtual system by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
The Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo will this year be hosted virtually from 27 – 29 October 2021 due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
The virtual system, developed by the ZTA, has undergone enhancements to also include an ‘on-demand’ meeting requests platform.
“We have seen it prudent to enhance features of the platform so as to remain competitive and to keep abreast with international virtual platform” said ZTA Acting Chief Executive Givemore Chidzidzi.
“Furthermore, the platform has become more user friendly as participants can now schedule meetings using their respective time zones,” said Chidzidzi.
A series of webinars which will interrogate issues such as the market perspective sessions where agents from key source markets will share insights on the changing global trends due to the effects of the pandemic will be one of the key features this year.
This year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo is expected to supersede the 2020 edition.
Registration for exhibitors opens on 15 September and the meetings diary will open in the first week of October.
“The recruitment of international buyers for this year’s edition has commenced and the ZTA is optimistic that new buyers will participate at this year’s event,” Chidzidzi said.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority recently collaborated with Rida International Travel Solutions to promote destination Zimbabwe to over 400 buyers from South East Asia.
ZTA has ensured that Zimbabwe remains 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 & Tourism Association (ATTA) UK, Anerkannte Spezialisten fuer Afrika-Reisen (ASA) Germany.
Through these partnerships, the destination has continued to receive the much-needed exposure through engagements that have been facilitated by the associations.