Chronicle Reporter

BULAWAYO women scooped the best overall exhibitors stand award at the just ended Sanganani/Hlanganani Tourism and Travel Fair in Harare.

Bulawayo Province was presented with a  shield and a certificate on Friday evening at the Rainbow Towers.

Speaking to Chronicle on arrival from the expo, Mrs Vaidah Mashangwa, the  provincial development officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, expressed delight over the accomplishment of Bulawayo women.

“This has been a learning experience for women in the province and the country   at large. The achievement will help in improving the quality of products in arts and craft,” she said.

The Bulawayo women exhibitions attracted orders worth $5 000 from several hotels around the country.

“We got orders estimated at $5 000 for the arts and craft products exhibited at our stand. Several hotels in the country showed interest in doing business with us,” said Ms Tracy Mutendereka.

Mrs Audrey Khumalo for Vilika Arts and Crafts was honoured with the Best Arts and Craft Stand Award.

“I feel humbled and I hope that this award will be a platform for the recognition of women gifted in woodwork and other arts and craft categories,” she said.

The four day event which ran from 17 to 21 October at the HICC was organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) under the theme “Celebrating African Tourism Diversity”.

The annual tourism expo provided a platform for Zimbabwe to expose its tourism products ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly in August next year.