The month of September was an extremely busy month for me. It started off with my participation in the AZTA (Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents) Awards Ceremony held in Harare. Every year there is a different theme and this year the theme was “Tastefully Beachy.” I can only imagine what the people at the gym opposite Jam Tree thought when they saw groups of people arriving in swim wear to the restaurant in the middle of the day! My best friend attended with me and we used the opportunity to network and catch up with others in the industry. It was very well organised and I am looking forward to attending next year – I wonder what the theme will be?
Following on from the awards, I took the scenic drive down to Bulawayo for the Sanganai World Tourism Expo. On the way down I stopped in to visit Jabulani in Shangani, a camp I have always wondered about. Kathy, the assistant camp manager, offered me a welcome cup of tea, after which we took a nice walk around the camp grounds. Jabulani is most well known for hosting school trips and is also popular with the local Bulawayo folk, who take a drive out when city life gets too busy. They offer activities for groups and individuals alike, including cultural tours to Bhila Ruins and Naletale Ruins. I didn’t have long but I will definitely be going back to Jabulani with my husband when I have some free time to take in the activities.
Feeling refreshed, I then headed off to Bulawayo, where Travellers Guest House had very kindly offered to host me. I am not very familiar with Bulawayo but getting to Travellers was really simple and in a great location to reach most areas of Bulawayo quickly. The first thing I noticed when I walked up to reception was the inviting smell of a gorgeous ‘Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow’ bush that was in full bloom. Muzi at Reception welcomed me in and straight away made me feel like nothing was too much of an effort for her and that I was part of the Travellers Family. My room was tastefully decorated, lovely and cool, the perfect place to unwind after a long day of driving.
Never one to miss an opportunity, I decided to book a site visit to Matobo Hills Lodge, which I hadn’t managed to fit in on my last trip to Matopos. I took my friend Debbie along as she was looking for accommodation for a trip later in the year. We were met by the delightful Anette in the stunning open-plan lounge/bar area, which offers a breath-taking view of the Matopos. Not only is this one of the most beautiful views you will get from a bar, they offer a very unique selection of cocktails!
However, the trip to Bulawayo was not about having a holiday, it was about attending the 11th Sanganai World Tourism Expo, which was held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in the Trade Fair Grounds. This year’s event attracted participants from 23 countries. It was the first time I had exhibited at the event and I was a little nervous, but soon got into the rhythm of the event and found the “business speed dating” event to be the most beneficial. I met many international buyers and many like-minded people in the industry. I will definitely be attending the Expo in 2019.
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