In an interview with this publication, Tourism expert, Simon Bakali said that the expo was an arena that allows tourism players to share knowledge and expertise on how to implement tourism policies in line with National Development Strategy 1 (NDS).
“The expo will also promote tourism products, knowledge, skills, and resources and equip the players in the tourism industry with resolutions to take the sector forward. Private sector and government players will have synergies on how they can market Zimbabwe tourism hubs at local levels and internationally.
“We have Matobo, Hwange, Mana pools, the Eastern Highlands, and Zambezi, which generate revenue for the sector. This expo will help us revitalise ways of improving our tourism marketing and business plans in the tourism industry,” said Bakali.
Another tourism expert, Blessed Gwenzi said that Zimbabwe had untapped sites that are potential cash cows for the tourism industry. The gathering of tourism players in Bulawayo will help create a strategy for tourism growth.
“There are tourist sites associated with the liberation struggle that are rich in terms of historical heritage. The government has commissioned them, and they are still to be utilised for economic growth. The ruling party also needs to assist the government with implementing the tourism policy and coordination. The Sanganai/Hlanganani expo creates an opportunity for tourism players to work in cohorts with the NDS1 and the national tourism policy,” said Gwenzi.
It is expected that this decentralisation of the Tourism Expo will boost the economy of Bulawayo the same way tourism is benefiting Victoria Falls.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe celebrated World Tourism Day in Mashonaland Central on September 27, 2023. These celebrations were also carried out in other provinces.
