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Zimbabwe: Travel Expo Ends on a High Note

allafrica.com

The Zimbabwe International Travel Expo ended on a high note yesterday with organisers of the travel extravaganza expressing confidence that contacts made by the local tourism industry would help in the recovery of the sector.

ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke was upbeat at the volume of business realised this year, judging by the number of buyers present and the generally buoyant mood over the last four days.

Although most of the buyers preferred to play their cards close to their chests, the general feeling was that lucrative deals had been clinched and these should translate into more tourist arrivals from both traditional and non-traditional source markets.

"Although I cannot give details of the actual deals signed I had an opportunity to talk to some of our hoteliers and service providers who were exhibiting and were happy with what they achieved over the past three days.

"During the expo, stakeholders in the tourism sector were given an opportunity to make contacts and possibly sign deals. As ZTA we are happy with those who made vital contacts, but are happier with those who managed to seal deals," Mr Kaseke said.

He urged exhibitors to make follow-ups on the deals as soon as possible to keep the momentum going.

United States-based Mr Jeremy Lock of African Destinations and Tours said he had clinched lucrative deals with Wild Geese Lodge and Tourism Services of Zimbabwe and expected to see more American tourists coming to Zimbabwe.

"For me that was a good buy and I am happy that I clinched these deals right here and I also made important contacts worth following up on," he said.

A buyer from Malawi, Mr Dyson Banda, said he would not hesitate to promote joint marketing initiatives between his country and resorts and service providers in Zimbabwe.

"This will help promote joint tourism packages in the region. Our governments have been clamouring for such measures, but no one has been heeding such calls. With the contacts that I have made this year I won't hesitate to say that we will soon be closing in on big deals with Zimbabwean companies."

ZTA marketing and communications director Mr Givemore Chidzidzi said this year's expo had been a resounding success despite a number of challenges.

He said the expo had surpassed the authority's expectations and received overwhelming support from stakeholders. That alone showed that the annual showcase was becoming one of the major highlights on the tourism calendar.

"Both our buyers and exhibitors were proud at the magnitude of this year's expo and felt that it was bigger compared to anything we have done before. Those who were visiting us for the first time also expressed satisfaction with the exhibitions and business contacts made.

"The majority of our buyers are already out of town on their way to different destinations on their post-Travel Expo tour to familiarise themselves with the country's resort areas and the services provided by the hospitality industry.

"Events over the past week have shown that the expo has outgrown the venue and we are looking at expanding the space."

Mr Chidzidzi said the organisers would soon be going back to the drawing board to map out strategies for the 2008 edition of the fair.

"Alternative venues will be sought while additional space will be created outside the show venue for the more outdoor activities. We therefore call upon exhibitors to keep in touch with their contacts and to follow up on the deals as the expo is not an end in itself but a means to an end.

"Judging by the number of people who came to the Big Five concert on Saturday, there is no doubt that we are getting overwhelming support from our people," he said.

Thousands of people thronged the HICC for the musical concert featuring local bands and others from the region. The show, which featured rhumba outfit Extra Musica from Congo Brazzaville, South African pop outfit Mafikizolo and the versatile Vee of Taku Taku fame from Botswana attracted a capacity crowd.

The local flavour was provided by sungura maestro Tongai Moyo, gospel sensation Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Cephas Mashakada and Roki, among others. Police had their hands full trying to control the huge crowds at the venue, as long queues were still evident hours after the show got underway at 7.00pm.

 Printable Version  | published Oct 15, 2007