Mutare Poly shines at Sanganai/ Hlanganani Expo
LEADING tertiary institution Mutare Poly’s stock continues to rise after scooping the prestigious Best Training Institution Award at this year’s 10th edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo held in Bulawayo recently.
They outshone Harare Poly and Chinhoyi University of Technology, who came second and third respectively. They were also second runners-up in the live cooking mystery basket competition at the same expo.
The college has in previous editions of the expo won several accolades such as the best training institution, best tertiary institution stand, while its students came third in the Zimbabwe Chefs Association competition in the live cooking category.
The institution exhibited an immaculate, creative and unique presentation of rural tourism which was in tandem with this year’s theme “Sustainable Tourism, a tool for development.”
One of Mutare Poly officials, Mrs Charity Mambondiyani, said they were aiming at promoting rural tourism in Manicaland.
“We attributed our success story to team work. We always strive to do better each time we enter a competition. We always strive to come out tops. This is another accolade that we will always cherish,” said the college principal, Mrs Poniso Watema.
Other institutions and tourism players who had stands at this year’s expo were Buhera Rural District Council, Nyanga Rural District Council, The Eastern Highlands Experience and Golden Peacock Villa Hotel.
Nyanga Rural District Council were second runners-up in the best publicity stand category which was won by Harare Publicity Association.
Buhera Rural District Council exhibited culture and agriculture tourism. Buhera is home to stone built monuments (ruins) such as Matendera, Chiwona,
Muchuchu, Kagumbudzi and Gombe.
Other tourism sites housed in Buhera District are Ruti and Nerutanga dams as well as an engineering marvel, Birchenough Bridge.
Golden Peacock Villa Hotel also had an eye-catching stand despite trailing African Sun Hotel, Rainbow Tourism Group and Miekles Hotel in the best hotel stand category.
The hotel recently completed their major facelift exercise in a bid to gain five-star status as well as meet international standards.
The Chinese-infused hotel which commenced operations in 2012 seeks to ensure that their brand remains relevant and attractive to the current and new markets.
“The expo gave us an ideal chance to market our services and products. We managed to build synergies with local and international buyers. It was a worthwhile experience and we are looking forward to attending such expos,” said the hotel’s official, Mr Willard Madhombiro.