BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
This year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo which will be held in Bulawayo from September 12 to 14, will host three conferences, the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) Masterclass, Tourism Scholastic Conference and the Zimbabwe Investment Forum.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday; said “the conferences will bring together industry leaders, experts, and professionals from around the world to engage in insightful discussions, share innovative ideas, and explore the latest trends in the Tourism Industry.”
Minister Rwodzi added that the “MICE Masterclass is aimed at capacitating all stakeholders on MICE tourism promotion.
“We are bringing MICE experts from across Africa to deliberate on pertinent issues regarding MICE tourism development and growth.”
She added that this year’s expo will be bigger and better, as there will be elaborate sustainable tourism initiatives and gastronomy tourism showcase, all meant to ensure that the tourism value chain is represented at Sanganai/Hlanganani 2024.
“The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, will for the first time feature Tourism Innovation Hubs.
“This initiative is aimed at supporting youth in academia and exposing their ideas to the global community. One of the key beneficiaries of this noble initiative is the production of fresh organic juices from indigenous fruits,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Minister Rwodzi also revealed that to date, 410 companies have registered to participate at the expo, while eight countries namely South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Embassy of Iran, Angola and Nigeria, will be bringing operators from their countries.
She also revealed that 142 buyers had so far confirmed their attendance at the tourism expo.
Speed Networking – 1 DAY (12 SEPTEMBER 2024)
- Speed networking at the Sanganai World Tourism Expo offers a dynamic platform for industry professionals to connect efficiently and effectively. This fast-paced format allows participants to engage in brief, focused conversations, fostering immediate connections with potential business partners, tourism stakeholders, and service providers.
- Attendees can share insights, explore collaboration opportunities and discuss innovative ideas within a limited timeframe, making it an ideal setting for building relationships and expanding networks in the tourism sector.
- By maximizing interactions, speed networking enhances the overall experience of the expo, promoting growth and synergy among participants. Book your meetings and make sure you are available for the meetings on time.
NETWORKING EVENTS
Buyers and Media Cocktail (12 September 2024)
- The Buyers and Media Cocktail at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is an exclusive event designed to foster networking and collaboration between industry buyers and media professionals.
- The Cocktail will be held on the 12th of September 2024. This informal gathering provides a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and explore potential partnerships in a relaxed setting.
- The focus will be on building relationships, the cocktail event encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences, ultimately enhancing the visibility of exhibitors and promoting the diverse offerings of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.
Official Opening and Awards Ceremony
(13 September 2024)
The Official Opening and Awards Ceremony will be held on the 13th of September 2024 at the ZITF Hall 2. The Guest of Honor to be announced in due course.
AWARDS NARRATIONS – 2024
There will be 3 winners in each category; that is the 2nd Runner Up, 1st Runner Up and the Winner.
The categories are:
1.Best Hotel Stand
- The award is presented to a hotel facility stand that portrays the quality of product offered through excellent displays of hotel products, collateral and demonstration of product and service knowledge combined with willingness to meet customers’ needs.
2. Best Lodges Stand
- The award is presented to a lodge facility stand that portrays the quality of product offered through excellent displays of the lodge’s products, collateral and demonstration of product and service knowledge combined with willingness to meet customers’ needs.
- 3. Best Safari Camp Stand
- The award is presented to a Safari camp that portrays an authentic, eye catching and visually appealing design that captures the essence of a safari experience.
4. Best Tour Operator Stand
- The award is presented to a tour operator stand that exhibits the essence of travel excitement, offering visitors a glimpse into memorable and well-organized travel experience.
5. Best Airline Stand
- This award is presented to an airline stand that best portrays its commitment to innovation, customer service, safety and overall passenger experience.
6. Best Car Hire Stand
- This award is presented to a stand in the car hire category that shows excellent ability to offer quality service and wide range of vehicles.
7. Best Green Tourism Stand
- This award is presentedto a stand that priorities environmental sustainability and minimizes carbon footprint.
8. Best Community Based Tourism Stand
- This award is presented to a stand depicting local communities’ contribution to visitor experience and tourism growth.
9. Best Rural, Culture and Heritage Stand
- This award is presented to a stand depicting outstanding cultural and natural assets, community-based values, innovation and sustainability.
10. Best Sport Tourism Stand
- This award is presented to a stand depicting outstanding sport activities contributing towards sports tourism.
11. Best Religious Tourism Stand
- This award is presented to a stand depicting religious sites and showcasing religious events.
12. Best Public Institution Stand
- The award is presented to a Public Institution stand that depicts the institutions’ core business through innovative stand displays, collateral, and quality engagement of staff through information dissemination thus demonstrating knowledge of the business represented.
13. Best Publicity Association Stand
- The award is presented to a Publicity Association that shows strong tourism marketing focus of the region represented through display of collateral from relevant tourism players on their stand.
14. Best Training Institution Stand
- This award is presented to a tourism and hospitality training institution stand that has been effective and innovative in show casing its programs, engaging with visitors and conveying its educational offerings.
15. Best Tourism Related Facility Stand
- The Award is presented to a stand that portrays the warmth, authenticity and unique offerings appealing to travelers looking for personalized business experience and local charm.
16. Best First Time Exhibitor Stand
- This award is presented to a first-time exhibitor who has shown innovation and knowledge of the tourism product and aspire to market the destination.
17. Best Provincial Stand
- In the spirit of devolution, this award is presentedto the province which depicts all tourism gems in their province and also showcase tourism investment opportunities within that province.
18. Best Gastronomy Stand
- This award is presented to a stand that depicts the stories and history behind traditional local recipes, emphasizing each dish’s cultural significance.
19. Best Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Stand
- This award is presented to a stand that depicts provision of facilities and services for conferences, meetings, events and exhibitions.
20. Best Zimbabwe Stand
- This award is presentedto a local exhibitor that would have put up an outstanding exhibition through quality and origination.
21. Best International Stand
- This award is presentedto an international exhibitor that would have put up an outstanding exhibition through quality and origination.
22. Best Overall Stand
- This award is presented to a stand that has depicted the best in in terms of first impression, originality, information dissemination and the overall quality presented by the personnel manning the stand despite the exhibitor category.
