Harare – International buyers to this year’s 11^th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganai World Travel and Tourism Expo have started arriving in the country ahead of the expo scheduled for 6-8 September 2018 in Bulawayo at the ZITF Grounds.

Last year about 340 exhibitors registered compared to 236 who attended the 2016 edition which is a 44 percent growth in exhibitor numbers.

This year the Authority said it expects to host over 250 international buyers with 115 coming from Africa and the Middle East.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Chief Executive Dr Karikoga Kaseke said Monday saw the first group of buyers arriving from Germany, France, Italy and the Benelux who are scheduled for various pre-Sanganai tours across the country.

He said the buyers are expected to sample and appreciate the country’s tourism product that will aid informed packaging across markets.

“The tours will proffer Zimbabwe’s tourism hotspots of Manapools, Bumi Hills, Kariba, Eastern Highlands, Gonarezhou, Masvingo, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Binga, Matopos and Bulawayo.

“Furthermore, it is anticipated that these buyers will engage in business exchanges and networking with the Zimbabwe Tourism industry under one roof during the Sanganai/Hlanganai 2-day trade days of 6 and 7 September 2018,” he said.

Dr Kaseke pointed out that the buyer’s arrival is a clear sign of confidence that the international market has on destination Zimbabwe especially with the rejuvenated interest that has been exhibited since November 2017.

“It is such an exciting time for the Zimbabwe tourism to leverage on this goodwill with the major thrust of regaining the lost market share and increasing tourism traffic to Zimbabwe.

“The Authority will be receiving more groups of buyers as well as media from North America, Africa, Asia and Europe. It is anticipated that 240 buyers and 15 media houses across markets shall converge at the ZITF grounds for this year’s Sanganai.”

Sanganai/Hlanganai is a business to business exposition that presents networking opportunities between the buyers, exhibitors and the travel trade.

To date, 288 exhibitors and 21 countries have registered for participation.

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