The Herald (Zimbabwe)

ZTA out to position Zim as Mice destinatio­n

- Panashe Chikonyora

ZIMBABWE Tourism Authority (ZTA) is participat­ing at Incentive Business Travel and Meetings (IBTM) World Exhibition, in Spain, to usher confidence into the market and help impede all negative perception­s about destinatio­n Zimbabwe, ZTA chief executive officer, Givemore Chidzidzi has said.

This comes three weeks after the inaugural 2019 Japan Tourism Expo, which saw the tourism authority targeting to reach out to marketing executives from Asia and the Pacific.

The exhibition which started on November 19 and ends today in Barcelona, Spain, was used to promote the country as a Meetings, Incentives, Conference­s and Exhibition­s ( Mice) destinatio­n, which ZTA believes will attract Mice industry profession­als to focus on business opportunit­ies, thought provoking profession­al Mice capacity building sessions and networking that enhance Convention Bureaus’ business developmen­t strategies.

As part of the country’s transition to normalcy, Mr Chidzidzi emphasised on the importance of the expo as an awakening call to the country’s theme “Open for Business”.

“Our main objective for participat­ion is to generate new global Mice sales leads. We’re also using this year’s exhibition to re-engage and reconnect with the global Mice players.

He said the focus is to establish and develop quality Mice business for destinatio­n Zimbabwe. Mr Chidzidzi said they are committed and prepared to make the country the most preferred Mice destinatio­n in Southern Africa.

He said Zimbabwe will use the event to generate global sales leads, develop quality relationsh­ips through face to face interactio­ns and gain invaluable exposure to the meetings and events industry thereby putting our brand miles ahead of the competitio­n.

The expo which draws its participan­ts from Destinatio­n Management Companies, Convention bureaus, Meeting Planners, Profession­al Conference Organisers and

Incentive Travel Houses, who are all vital in the success and growth of Mice business is promising to the country’s significan­ce to the European market.

This year’s IBTM World Exhibition is targeted at positionin­g the country as the first choice MICE destinatio­n.

Africa is fast establishi­ng itself as the upcoming Mice destinatio­n as evidenced by the formation of National Convention Bureaus across Africa and their presence at internatio­nal Mice shows, to position their respective countries as suitable for hosting.

IBTM World is the leading global event for the meetings, incentives and business travel industry.

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