Bulawayo is set to host Zimbabwe’s Sanganai/Hlanganani trade show for three consecutive years as part of efforts by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to revive the region’s tourism economy.

According to the ZTA, tourism business in Bulawayo and surrounding environs is at an all-time low.

Chief Executive, Karikoga Kaseke, said the region’s tourism economy was in bad shape and the decision to host the trade show hoped to address this.

“Bulawayo is renowned for cultural tourism, which was the 9th edition’s theme. This region has beautiful but underutilised facilities, thus events like Sanganai/Hlanganani will go a long way to create business and boost the tourism economy,” said Kaseke.

He said the show would give Bulawayo and surrounding environs, including Hwange, exposure to international visitors who attend the event and get an opportunity to tour and inspect facilities and activities on offer. “Most of the lodges in this region are extremely beautiful and better than hotels. They should be given a chance to shine to be able to grow.”

This year Bulawayo hosted the expo, which attracted 236 exhibitors including 35 foreign exhibitors from 11 countries, compared with last year’s 128 exhibitors, with 19 foreign exhibitors.

Kaseke bemoaned the sad state of community-based tourism enterprises (CBTEs), which he described as struggling. He said it was important to revisit these areas and get funding to revive them.

“Most of the CBTEs that were thriving are either folding or struggling, yet we have to promote community cultural tourism, which is very rich in this destination. If the funding that we have been requesting is availed of, reviving them will be our priority.”

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