Zimbabwe: International Travel Expo Moved to Bulawayo
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The Herald (Harare)
7 August 2008
Posted to the web 7 August 2008
Harare
THE 2008 edition of the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo has been moved to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo as the exhibition seeks more space to accommodate the growing number of exhibitors and promote the development of tourism in the country's southern parts.
In an interview yesterday, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the 2008 edition of the country's premier tourism showcase would run from October 16 to 19.
Last year, the authority promised to move the expo to a large venue with initial suggestions pointing to the National Sports Stadium in the capital while plans to construct a modern exhibition complex at the Harare International Conference Centre were also mooted.
Mr Kaseke said the majority of the space at the exhibition centre had already been taken and urged stakeholders in the tourism sector to take space and not wait until it was late.
"I can confirm that this year's edition of the country's premier tourism and travel showcase will be held in Bulawayo at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds. We have moved the Travel Expo from its traditional venue at the HICC to accommodate the increasing demand by our buyers and exhibitors.
"Apart from space constraints, the Travel Expo has been deliberately switched to Bulawayo to help grow the tourism economy in the southern parts of the country.
"In fact, tourism in that part has not been growing at the pace we want and by moving the show to Bulawayo, we are giving the region an impetus to grow, and also spreading benefits of tourism across the country," he said.
ZTA was last year forced to turn away 71 exhibitors who would not be accommodated at the HICC while others had to use the space outside the venue owing to shortage of space.
Mr Kaseke said more than 80 percent of the space the authority had booked at the ZITF had already been taken up and there were plans to take the remaining exhibition halls as more organisations and countries have shown interest in the event.
He said last year ZTA had underestimated the demand as its projections were pointing to the fact that the demand would only soar this year but figures had proved them wrong.
"We intend to grow the Expo to become the leading tourism showcase in the region hence the venue must be appropriate.
"The fair will be managed by the ZITF company under the authority's efforts improve the showcase while three international and three local partners are being engaged to work with the authority on the Expo.
"The authority will launch the switch of venue to Bulawayo on Wednesday next week where the number of buyers and exhibitors that have already confirmed their participation will be announced," he said.
The Travel Expo has continued to grow year by year as more people are realising the value of the country's tourism facilities.
Unconfirmed reports say that more than 15 non-African countries and most Sadc member states have confirmed participation at the 28th edition of the Travel Expo.
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Last year, more than 800 buyers and international exhibitors from 44 countries attended the Expo, surpassing initial projections that had put the figure at 500.
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