Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi (right) and international buyer Nauroz Imtiaz from Bangladesh (pics by Lovejoy Mutongwiza)
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA in MASVINGO
International buyers who are in the country ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo have expressed admiration for the country’s hospitality and beautiful attractions, describing Zimbabweans as happy people, who love smiling people
About 140 international buyers are in the country for the tourism fête, which will be held at Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre from September 9-12.
And as a build up to the tourism expo, the buyers are visiting several attractions, appreciating what the country and the city of Masvingo have to offer.
Nauroz Imtiaz, an entrepreneur in the tourism sector, who is visiting Zimbabwe for the first time from Bangladesh, said he was charmed by the people’s great hospitality.
“I’m trying to explore African countries and this is the first time for me in Zimbabwe.
“What I noticed from the day I arrived and this is the fourth day; is that this is a land of smiling.
“All the people I met, I saw, everybody is smiling, smiling faces,” said Imtiaz.
Imtiaz revealed this as he arrived at Masvingo Airport aboard an Air Zimbabwe flight.
He added: “the people, the landscape, the food, everything is beautiful.
“I love this city.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by another tourist from Moscow, Russia, who like Imtiaz, was visiting Zimbabwe for the first time.
“From the arrival in Harare, I could see the magic brand of your country.
“I could see that the country of wonders is a wonder.
“And we have come here in Masvingo to see one of the wonders of the country,” said the international buyer from Moscow.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi said it was good that they had surpassed their target of international buyers, as close to 140 had arrived in the country.
And Minister Rwodzi said the visitors were there to see what the Province had in store for them.
“They are here to explore Masvingo, so that when they go back after Sanganai, they will be selling the whole province and not just Victoria Falls as usual, Bulawayo as usual, not just Harare as usual, not just Mutare as usual,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Turning onto the people of Masvingo, Minister Rwodzi said: “you are now part of marketing destination Zimbabwe, we are excited about that.
“Let me assure you that these buyers are very happy, because of the warm welcome that you gave them in the morning and until they go back on the 12th, we really want them to enjoy and experience Zimbabwe and to also experience Masvingo.”
