By Netho Francisco and
Margaret Mvura

THIS year’s edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair will focus on promoting domestic tourism as the country anticipates an economic boom premised on the new Government’s sound policies, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has said.
The economic growth rate for Zimbabwe is estimated to reach five percent by year-end propelled by positive performance in the mining and agricultural sectors.
This estimated growth is a 0,6 percentage point increase from the annual economic growth of 4,4 percent in 2012.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) head of corporate affairs Sugar Chagonda said the domestic market had the potential to boost growth of the sector.
“Sanganai is no longer any other event but a pan-African event which is a platform to integrate foreign states. Our focus this year is to grow domestic tourism so that we encourage locals to participate in tourism activities,” he said.
“During the previous era local people did not have disposable income because our economy was not doing well as bread and butter issues were of paramount importance. But we are now working closely with the tourism industry to create relevant and affordable packages for the people like that of the Rainbow Tourism Group which has a ‘go now pay later package.”
This year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani comes after the successful co-hosting of the 20th edition of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly by Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The event gave an opportunity for Zimbabwe to correct the negative perceptions peddled by the Western media.
Chagonda said hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly had begun to bear fruit.
“The successful co-hosting of UNWTO showed that we have the capacity to host such big events and the world has changed its perception about Zimbabwe and we must now begin to invest in hotels,” he said.
“At least, 13 first time exhibitors from different tourism fields have been registered and 120 hosted buyers confirmed their participation, a development that shows the willingness of tourism players to participate at the expo.”
Some of the foreign countries that have confirmed participation at the expo include Italy, Iran, India, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Namibia, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Malawi among others.
Last year at least 1 200 exhibitors and 85 foreign buyers and media from around the globe participated at the expo.
Participants at Sanganai/Hlanganani expo which upgraded its status to being a Pan-African event, will have an opportunity to meet and network with exhibitors, visiting buyers, investors and suppliers of services to the tourism sector from all over the world.
The travel expo which is on the UNWTO calendar will run between October 10 and 12 with the principal tourism showcase set for Harare International Conference Centre.
With the rejuvenation of the country’s major markets, arrivals into the country are expected to ride on this positive trend throughout the year with the bulk of them coming from the East.
This is so especially considering the current performance of markets like China, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and France.
Positive trends in 2013 are also expected to hinge on the improved accessibility into the country, a stable post-election environment and the probable interim after-effects of hosting UNWTO General Assembly.