Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is hoping to attract 150 buyers and 180 exhibitors to this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo. The expo is taking place from June 16-18 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The annual fair, now in its ninth edition, returns to the country’s second largest city after a government directive to migrate the event to a place with adequate facilities. This follows the tourism authority’s quest to make the show more productive and business-focused. Exhibitors at this year’s show will also be offered larger stands at reduced rates.

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Last year, according to the ZTA, a total of 110 buyers attended the show. Buyers came from the US as well as European countries including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, Slovenia, UK and Switzerland. There were also buyers from the Middle East, Asia and African countries that include South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda, Botswana and Zambia.

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ZTA Chief Operating Officer, Givemore Chidzidzi, said the authority was still collating the exact figures for this year’s show, but said exhibitors including tourism authorities from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Uganda, were among those that had confirmed.

“There will also be an opportunity for buyers to take the trip to Bulawayo by road as part of the pre tours, which allow operators a chance to open their doors to buyers and showcase their products and facilities that make them unique. Tours to Masvingo and the Eastern Highlands have already been organised,” said Chidzidzi.