Leading travel, tourism and hospitality players who converged on Zimbabwe’s second largest urban centre of Bulaweyo for the annual Sanganai – Hlanganani expo have hailed the gathering a huge success.
Exhibitors, visiting buyers, investors and suppliers of services to the tourism sector from all over the world gathered to discuss the increasing opportunities within the sector. The three-day Sanganai – Hlanganani (meaning to meet or come together in the Shona and Ndeble languages) expo held in September, showcased destinations, products and services from around and Zimbabwe and beyond. Widespread praise for this year’s edition came from participants who were especially impressed with the professional set-up and event management at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition (ZIEC) trade fair grounds.
“There is a lot of input and effort from both the industry and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA),” explained Paul Matamisa, Chief Executive of the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe, who continued, “We got a good number of buyers carefully selected by both the ZTA and the industry.” He was ‘confident’ that they brought the best buyers to drive forward the industry. Also commended was the quality of the stand designs and professionalism of the exhibition space.
International attendees also expressed their satisfaction at the opportunities to network and establish strategic partnerships. The UK-based African travel expert Umang Gossain of UBON Safaris, visiting the expo for the first time with a travel trade delegation led by ZTA’s Felicia Munjaidi, was especially pleased with the speed networking designed to connect international buyers with the Zimbabwean companies: “I was most impressed by the quality of the meetings and the different products Zimbabwe has to offer tourists.”
One of the highlights this year was the National Chef’s Competition. The exciting contest showcased the culinary skills of some of the finest kitchens in Zimbabwe’s hospitality industry. Each executive chef was given a mystery basket of ingredients they had to transform into a first and main course assisted by three chefs from their kitchens. The judging panel consisted of heads from culinary and hospitality vocational training centres
Aspiring chefs also got the chance to demonstrate their potential with five vocational schools presented two dishes for tasting by a panel led by John Maruma of the ZTA together with Sherine Anne Taylor from the acclaimed Banff Lodge (one of the four teams competing in the senior competition) and Brian Ndlovu (Head Chef at Cresta Hotels). Speaking during the finals, Sherine explained: “We have exceptional talent training in culinary arts. The technique and passion is there!” She encouraged hotels and lodges to encourage creativity in trainees: “Developing programmes with the schools will enable students to experience kitchens working to international standards.” Prizes were awarded by Roil Cooking Oil (United Refineries) and Banff Lodge in Bulaweyo.
Gugulethu Nyathi, a 24-year old culinary arts student, was absolutely inspired by the contests: “My dream is to be a professional chef in a hotel. Sanganai has inspired me to dream big,” she told SCF blog, “From the cookery demonstrations to the exhibitors it has been so exciting.” Gugulethu also praised the competing culinary students for their confidence and really demonstrating their learning. She hopes that present and future chefs will also be encouraged to showcase more local dishes to tourists.
Official statistics from the tourism authority report over 2.5 million tourist arrivals into Zimbabwe last year, 6% up from 2017. A ZTA report states that the growth in arrivals was driven by the notable increases from all source regions with the exception of the Americas and concluded: “The world is generally warming up to Zimbabwe as evidenced by the various positive destination reviews in 2018.” Based on current trends, the UN World Tourism Organisation projects international tourist arrivals into Zimbabwe to grow at a rate of about 4% in 2019.
Freeman Murando from Milta Travel and Tours is upbeat about future prospects for the sector: “Across Africa we see tourism growing. In Zimbabwe especially we are hoping the industry will build in the coming years. We welcome international commercial partnerships, positive media and more exposure for our tourism across the world.” The Harare-based travel agent offering tour services around Zimbabwe and holidays beyond, praised the expo for opening new opportunities: “Sanganai is very good for networking, especially for meeting international and local buyers,” said Murando who had brought along team members Jasmine Munjaidi and Mildred Sylvia to make new contacts to fully exploit the expo’s opportunities, “It motivates us when we see all these businesses and we are very proud of our tourism industry.”
Top image: Robin Findlay, CEO of The Hotel Inspector, visiting Sanganai 2019.
2019 Sanganai Stand awards
Best Zimbabwean: Bulaweyo
Best Overall: Bulaweyo
Best Airline: Ethiopian Airlines
Best First Time Exhibitor: Beneath Africa Travel and Tours
Best International: Hospitality and Tourism Assoc of Botswana
Best Public Institution: Mutare Polytechnic
Best Tour Operator: Wild Horizons
Best Hotel: African Sun
Best Accommodation: Antelope Park
Best Rural district: Tsholotsho
Best Women-owned: Nnino Ceramics
Rwandair fly three times a week from London Gatwick to Harare via Kigali.
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