AIR Zimbabwe and the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) have partnered the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to sponsor the 15th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo. Zimbabwe’s largest tourism showcase will be held from 13 to 15 October in Bulawayo.
The annual expo, which resumes after a prolonged suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, presents a golden opportunity for players in travel and tourism sector to promote their brands. It attracts international visitors and journalists from across the world.
The past 14 editions of the expo were a major success and attracted leading African desti[1]nations and major world tourism markets such as South Africa, Botswana, Malaysia, China, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, United Kingdom, United States, China, India, Italy and many others.
In support of the expo, AirZim has put additional capacity to fly daily twice on the Ha[1]rare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route, to ensure the convenience of local and foreign visitors.
A plane will leave Harare for Bulawayo and Victoria Falls every morning and then fly back from the resort city, through Bulawayo to Harare every morning, before repeating the routine in the evening. AirZim’s acting chief executive officer Tafadzwa Zaza said the flag carrier is pleased to be a partner.
“The partnership includes, among other things, domestic flights for winners of a familiarisation trip to Zimbabwe at the Dubai 2020 Expo held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from October 2021 to March 2022. The partnership will also include co-branding on ad[1]vertising and other exciting activities inflight and prizes on a public day,” Zaza said.
The ACZ says it will contribute by providing swift access to the country’s tourist resorts and trade areas where participants will be showcasing their products.
ACZ chief executive officer Tawanda Gusha said: “The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (Private) Limited will be partnering the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority at this year’s edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
Aviation and tourism are intertwined and inter-dependent; the growth in national tourism translates directly to the growth of passenger and aircraft movements across the airports, making this a win-win partnership.
“The tourism and travel industries were the most hit by the Covid-19 global pandemic. Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo provides a unique opportunity for business recovery and this year the event is attracting buyers from across the globe, making it the perfect platform for this strategic partnership.”
The ACZ operates a network eight airports which are strategically located across the country, providing quick and direct access to tourist resorts and trade zones.
The three major airports with scheduled services are Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the main gateway into Zimbabwe and the capital city, Harare; Victoria Falls International Airport, which provides access to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, as well as Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, which provides access to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city and the country’s melting pot for arts and culture as well as business.
The ACZ operates other five smaller airports which are mainly served by charter operators, except Kariba which now has scheduled services.
These are Kariba International Airport, Charles Prince International Airport, Hwange National Park Airport, Masvingo International Airport, and Buffalo Range International Airport. Plans are underway to establish three more airports in Gweru, Beitbridge and Mutare.
Tourism accounts for 4.25% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a value of US$1.03 billion in 2018. In 2019, the sector accounted for 6.3% of GDP with a value of US$1.23 billion, according to Zimbabwe’s Tourism Satellite Account (TSA).
“The tourism and travel industries were the most hit by the Covid-19 global pandemic. Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo provides a unique opportunity for business recovery and this year the event is attracting buyers from across the globe, making it the perfect platform for this strategic partnership.
“Aviation and tourism are intertwined and inter-dependent; the growth in national tourism translates directly to the growth of passenger and aircraft movements across the airports making this a win-win partnership,” said Tawanda Gusha, the ACZ chief executive officer.
In welcoming the partnerships, the ZTA said the sponsorships are a boost as the expo resumes in physical form following a Covid[1]19-induced break.
“I would like to sincerely thank them for considering Sanganai/Hlanganani worthy of partnering and sponsoring, especially in this environment where there is fierce competition for resources. Let me at this juncture call upon corporates and individuals to follow suit. So once again, thank you to ACZ and AirZim,” said Winnie Muchanyuka, the ZTA chief executive officer.
Partners and prospective partners enjoy a wide range of benefits, including placing their business in the spotlight, increased brand awareness and media exposure, giving them visibility in target markets. — STAFF WRITER.
