Exhibitors’ registration for the 15th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo kicks off today amid expectation that Zimbabwe will surpass the mark of 190 exhibitors that registered last year.
The 15th edition of the internationally acclaimed Expo will be hosted virtually from 27 – 29 October 2021.
With the world increasingly moving towards digital, the expo will take place virtually due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority CEO Givemore Chidzidzi said the expo is committed to harnessing cutting-edge technology to provide visitors with an enriched experience, both onsite and wherever they may be in the world.
“The recruitment of exhibitors for this year’s edition has commenced and we are optimistic that new exhibitors will participate at this year’s event,” Chidzidzi said at a virtually held press conference on Wednesday.
Last year over 190 exhibitors registered including 29 foreign exhibitors.
At least 130 international buyers registered, over 2 500 one on one meetings facilitated.
“We switched to Virtual Expos last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and saw the need to embrace the new normal as we could not continue to be absent in the various key source markets,” he added.
“We did an online survey and most of our source markets preferred the virtual exhibition due to travel restrictions. Going forward due to the inoculation exercise underway we shall be hosting hybrid exhibitions. Our virtual system was developed in-house and has since undergone enhancements to include an ‘on-demand’ meeting requests platform.”
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority said the expo will have live HD video conferencing, virtual auditorium for interactive webinar sessions and 3D virtual exhibitor booths.
“The Sanganai /Hlanganani platform has become more user friendly, and participants can now schedule meetings using their respective time zones,” Chidzidzi said.
“Zimbabwe has remained 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 hence the wider array of quality buyers,” he added.
“Through these partnerships, the destination has continued to receive the much-needed exposure through engagements that have been facilitated by the associations. Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo has remained relevant during these trying times and this year’s edition is expected to supersede the success achieved during the 2020 virtual edition.”
Meanwhile the registration for buyers opens on 23 September 2021 while meetings diary will open on 1st October 2021.
A series of webinars will be hosted and these will touch on topical issues including the market perspective webinar where agents from key source markets will share insights on the changing global trends due to the effects of the pandemic.
International Buyers: Countries that registered in 2020
Australia
Middle East
China, Asia and Pacific
Europe and Americas
Southern Africa
To register on Sanganai website: www.sanganaitourismexpo.com