BACKGROUND

Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair is an annual Tourism Trade Fair organized by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. It showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. The Fair is the successor of Shanyai/Vakatshani, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (ZITE) that was held annually at the Harare International Conference Centre. ZITE started as a small expo in 1982 and grew over the years to become one of Africa’s leading tourism showcases by 2007. The past four editions of Sanganai/ Hlanganani were a resounding success and attracted the leading African destinations and major world tourism markets such as South Africa, Botswana, Malaysia, China, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Indonesia, Italy and many others. The editions have seen the whole world converging in Zimbabwe in the form of high calibre international buyers as well as exhibitors, hence achieving its main purpose of bringing the world to Africa, “Where the world meets Africa”. The 2012 edition will be held in the Capital city, Harare and is expected to ride on the successes gained by the previous editions and is therefore an opportunity not to be missed.

 

The Fair will target among other exhibitors the following:

    National Tourism Boards
    Embassies
    International Airlines
    Tourism destinations
    Leading Tour Wholesalers, Tour Operators and Travel Agents
    Leading Hotel Chains of the world
    Car Hire and Transport Operators
    Suppliers of goods and services to the tourism industry
    Investors
    Government Ministries
    Parastatals

 

THE HOST COUNTRY

ZIMBABWE - A World of Wonders

Zimbabwe is a wonderful, friendly and welcoming destination, situated on a high plateau in Southern Africa and lies between the Zambezi and the Limpopo rivers. It is a unique and fascinating tourist destination, endowed with a lot of wonders, such as its warm and friendly people and unique culture, the mighty Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe national monument, its rich history and heritage, pristine wildlife and the Lake Kariba, Matobo and the Eastern Highlands which are counted among the leading tourist attractions found in Africa. These wonders contribute immensely to the high degree of attractiveness that position the destination as a prime tourist destination in the world. It is a landlocked country, bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana. The climate is generally warm, with a daily sunshine average of seven hours all year round.

Zimbabwe is a plural society where people of different races live in harmony. Zimbabweans living in urban areas have a westernized lifestyle, while in the country areas many African traditions have been preserved.

THE HOST CITY

HARARE – The Sunshine & Jacaranda City


The Sunshine & Jacaranda city is the country’s capital, commercial and industrial centre. It is a modern but not so sophisticated city, characterized by flowering trees, colourful parks and contemporary architecture. Harare has direct air access from major regional airports. It is only an hour and a half flight from Johannesburg and an hour from the majestic Victoria Falls. There are a number of airlines flying into Zimbabwe. Harare as a tourist destination possesses so many wonderful tourist places, wonderful and friendly people leaving a warm welcoming effect on all those travelling to this city.  Major highlights are the National Heroes Acre, Mbare Msika, The Balancing Rocks, Lake Chivero and the National Art Gallery.

 THE VENUE

HARARE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE


The Rainbow Towers Harare’s Luxury Hotel and Harare International Conference Centre is a complex that was built 25 years ago and it was formerly known as the Sheraton Harare Hotel and International Conference Centre. The complex hotel is now owned by one of Zimbabwe’s leading hotel groups, the Rainbow Tourism Group. Pride of the Rainbow Tourism Group, this immaculate 5 star unit is situated in park like gardens on the edge of Harare’s CBD. Rainbow Towers offers excellent facilities including private check-in and express checkout. The hotel comprise of 305 rooms of which 160 are standard rooms. The Conference Centre is the largest and most sophisticated facility in Southern Africa. The Conference Centre is located 17 km from Harare International Airport and 1 km from the CBD.

The HICC has been the home to the predecessor of Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Travel & Tourism Africa Fair, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo.

 

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING SANGANAI/HLANGANANI

Participants at Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair stand to derive the following benefits:

    Meet and network (Sanganai) with exhibitors, visiting buyers, investors and suppliers of services to the tourism sector from all over the world.
    Establish strategic business partnerships with world tourism players
    Showcase your destination, products and services
    Acquire knowledge about different source markets
    Derive value from well structured, themed and informative International tourism conferences and workshops
    Interact with Travel Media from all corners of the world
    Establish strategic partnerships with other destinations/Cities,
    Network across Ministerial divides

 The debut Zimbabwe International Carnival set for May will afford performing local artistes an opportunity to showcase their artistic products to thousands of delegates from more than 15 countries in what is expected to be one of the country’s biggest drawcards in recent years.

The Victoria Falls Rainbow Hotel is the epitomy of all that is Victoria Falls: international in styling, yet with an unmistakable, unashamed African identity; the world’s marvel, yet Zimbabwe’s own treasure; cosmopolitan in character, yet true to its Zimbabwean spirit. The hotel has the following 88 rooms comprising of: 56 twin rooms; 12 double rooms; 16 family rooms; 2 family suites and 2 deluxe suites

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge provides luxury accommodation in Victoria Falls. Set high on a natural plateau, the westward facing Victoria Falls Safari Lodge borders the Zambezi National Park & is just four kilometers from the thundering Victoria Falls, Southern Africa's foremost attraction. Enjoying uninterrupted views of spectacular African sunsets and year round game at its on-site waterhole, accommodation at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is ideally positioned to offer the most discerning traveller a taste of Africa at its best.

Legend has it that nearly 2500 years ago a group of Jewish people, lead by Jewish priests, left Judea in an effort to facilitate trade. They settled in Yemen and built a city called Senna. They were then known as the BaSenna (people from Senna). They eventually moved from Senna to settle in Africa.

In the Shona society, it is believed that the spirits of our great great ancestors of many generations past are still among our supernatural protectors. However among them were especially powerful and respected spirits, Midzimu Mikurukuru. Such great spirits were called mhondoro or lions.

African mythology of the local Tonga tribe of the Zambezi Valley states that Nyaminyami the River God who lives in Lake Kariba is believed to be a serpent-like creature. He is said to be about three metres wide, but nobody dares to guess at his length. Legends has it that the water stains red when he swims past. Chief Sampakaruma saw him on two occasions many years ago, but the river god has been in hiding since the white men arrived in the country.

The 18-hole Elephant Hill’s golf course outside Victoria Falls town sprawls down to the banks of the Zambezi. Designed by world famous South African golfer Gary Player. The course is beautifully integrated into the surrounding bush, and game roams freely on the course.

ILALA LODGE

(STAR RATING – 3)

Standard Single US$229             Standard Double US$320

Deluxe Suite US$458

Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally situated on the Zimbabwean side of the mighty Zambezi river, where it is the closest hotel to the magnificent Victoria Falls. The falls, recently voted one of the World's Seven Natural Wonders, are within easy walking distance for guests, as is the Victoria Falls town centre. Wild animals often graze on the hotel lawns and restaurant diners can see the spray of the falls in the background while they listen to the majestic roar of "the smoke that thunders" and enjoy Zimbabwe's finest cuisine in Ilala's Palm Restaurant.