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Business Reporter
AT least 150 delegates will attend this year’s Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) annual congress to be held in Bulawayo next week. HAZ administrator Violet Rukande told Business Chronicle the event would also be graced by delegates from regional countries such as Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Lesotho.

“We’re expecting about 150 delegates at our 70th annual congress at the Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo from October 29 to 31. We’ve also invited delegates from the hospitality sector in Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Lesotho,” she said.

“We’re expecting a regional key note address from an official from Singapore hospitality. The official will give a key note address on how they have managed to turnaround their country’s tourism.”

Rukande said Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi will officially open the annual event that would run under the theme, “HAZ at 70: Building a culture of service excellence”.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, meanwhile, is expected to talk about unlocking value for the region through meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

“One of the highlights at this year’s annual congress is how to promote domestic tourism, thus we will have a culture dinner at Amakhosi Theatre Productions and people will be dressed in Ndebele traditional dress,” said Rukande, adding that the congress will have an award ceremony to honour players in the hospitality sector for their outstanding contribution to the industry this year.

During the congress, a hospitality fair would be held for stakeholders in the tourism industry to showcase their products.