By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
The 14th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Travel Expo began Wednesday with a series of webinars lined-up addressing several issues affecting Zimbabwean tourism industry.
The virtual exhibition will run from 27 – 29 October 2021 dubbed “Africa’s Premier Business Exchange” allows industry professionals and international travel buyers to interact on this platform without the need to worry about physical barriers.
One of the highlights of the opening was a presentation of tourism opportunities in Zimbabwe by Tino Kambasha of Zimbabwe Development Agency.
Kambasha presented a paper on how both local and foreign investors can be lured to invest in tourism sectors such as conferencing, Park Estates as well as tourism value chain like food where investors can partner local farmer to produce quality products.
In the presentation, Kambasha pointed to Government incentives such as the duty rebates on capital goods in line with SI270.
Of keen interest was he question by investors whereby investors have to invest 49 percent and 51 percent shareholding is given to local investors.
This has been viewed as the elephant in the room considering that most investors with big wallet fear that their investment would be squandered by local partners who take up the 51 percent.
Issues around whether this statute applies to tourism industry were addressed.
Another issue raised during the session was why banks still view tourism industry as informal or highly risky business unlike agriculture or manufacturing that easily access funding from banks.
Key area was ease of doing business and other investment protocols that go against the Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra.
Also part of the official opening were destination presentations on Eastern Highlands, Midlands and Masvingo from stakeholders and industry experts.
And webinars on exploring and investing Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, the post pandemic traveler and how to get the destination ready.
At least over 100 exhibitors and over 60 buyers are participating online and live from Harare.
Sanganai/Hlanganani– World Tourism Expo is a signature platform for tourism players which continues to provide stakeholders with business networking platform to engage international and regional source markets.
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