Zimbabwe turned the bride of Tourism and travel investor at the African travel Show held in Durban, South Africa just after the country’s tourism authority expressed its preparedness to receive more tourists from its next door neighbour and the world.
According to atqnews.com, Zimbabwe delegation to the travel show was led by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Honourable Priscah Mupfumira.
Earlier, in his address at the event, the Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Dr Karikoga Kaseke said he is delighted by the enthusiasm shown by local operators to exhibit at the event.
‘We have over the years lost substantial amounts of business from the South African market. We must take remedial action without further delay, we need to act swiftly. We are going to South Africa to regain the market share we lost. The level of participation of the tourism players from Zimbabwe is very encouraging and I know Zimbabwe is going to make a huge impact at the Africa’s Travel Indaba this year. I am very happy that the smaller operators are now also seeing that marketing their products at these big travel shows will assist their businesses to grow.’
According to herald.co.zw, Zimbabwe, which has a record 51 companies exhibiting at the African Travel Indaba in Durban, South Africa has become the centre of attention as tourist wholesalers, buyers, investors and tour operators flock to seek investment, travel and tourism opportunities under a new political dispensation.
At no stage in history has Zimbabwe taken that big number of companies to Indaba, the highest being 19 in 2017 but this year the figure has grown to 51, forcing a spillage that has seen many companies exhibiting outside the main stand, that can only accommodate 32 companies.
Both the main stand and individual stands dotted over the indaba have become a hive of activity with many companies inquiring about the country’s vast array of tourist attractions, saying they have confidence in the new political dispensation under the banner of “Zimbabwe is Open for Business.”
ATQ