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10/20/2007 10:43:15 AM
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Zimbabwe: New Exhibition Park Planned |
Shame Makoshori Staff Reporter
Harare
GOVERNMENT last week unveiled plans to construct a modern exhibition complex behind the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) to cope with the robust demand for space by companies during the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo, The Financial Gazette heard this week.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has mooted the project, which is still in its infancy.
Consultations have begun between Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo whose ministry owns the HICC complex.
ZTA chief executive, Karikoga Kaseke this week said the discussions would be concluded before the announcement of the 2008 national budget to give Chombo time to incorporate the cost of construction into his bid.
The tourism authority had underestimated the high demand for space during the premier expo, the second best travel event in southern Africa.
There were no contingent measures, Kaseke said, to deal with the huge demand for space that saw the turning down of more than 80 requests for exhibition stands last week.
These included requests from Nigeria and Iran that were turned down after the oil exporting economies wanted to book the entire exhibition space at the HICC.
"Nigeria and Iran had 50 companies between them and each of the companies wanted at least 300 square metres. This is more space than what we have," Kaseke told The Financial Gazette.
"We underestimated the demand. Our estimates were that high demand will begin in 2008. But our projections have been beaten. We have approached the Ministry of Local Government, the owners of this property to construct a modern complex similar to what we have seen in other countries like Spain.
"Another option will be to move the Travel Expo to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds. Again, we have another travel show that we run in the ZITF during the trade fair. We also thought of moving to the Harare Exhibition Park but the grounds there are dirty and not suitable for a travel exhibition," Kaseke said.
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