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The Bulawayo Sneaker Expo signals the potential that exists in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) phenomenon, Hon Tongai Mnangagwa, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, has said.
“It has been a pleasure to join Bulawayo at this year’s edition, which is the 3rd edition of the Bulawayo Sneaker Expo, an annual lifestyle and streetwear event. The event is coming against the backdrop of the Sanganai/Hlanganai World Tourism Expo, which was concluded last Saturday, adding to the list of must-attend events in Bulawayo. Most importantly it sends a clear signal of the potential that exists in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, especially in Bulawayo.
“This leaves us indebted to do an introspection on whether we have done all that could be done to promote MICE tourism. The Expo has been on incremental growth since its inception, with an estimated attendance of between 500 – 1000 delegates for the 3rd Edition. The Expo is a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and the evolving fashion landscape in Bulawayo,” he said.
The Bulawayo Sneaker Expo is in line with the ministry’s bid to promote domestic tourism, as it brings together sneaker enthusiasts, fashionistas, and culture aficionados from all corners of the country, with some coming from as far as the UK and South Africa.
Hon Mnangagwa said such events are in sync with Zimbabwe’s bid to promote domestic tourism, at the same time showcasing the endowments of Bulawayo as a cultural hub. Bulawayo is endowed with an array of tourist attractions which include among others its cultural heritage and diversity.
Like other annual events held in the city such as ZITF, Mine Entra, Bulawayo Arts Festival, Munch and Sip, Intwasa, and Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, the Bulawayo Sneaker Expo plays a pivotal role in shaping our country’s identity and creating an irresistible experience that makes people want to be a part of Bulawayo.
The event featured an array of activities, which included a sneaker showcase, fashion exhibitions, live music performances, and local culinary delights among others.
Hon Mnangagwa added that by showcasing the vibrant streetwear and lifestyle in Bulawayo, the aim is to position the destination as a cultural hub, a thing Bulawayo is known for.
“Pleasing to note is the effort by the youth, evidenced by their level of participation and attendance to this event. Our attendance at this event is testimony to our continued commitment to see the growth and prosperity of Bulawayo’s tourism industry. It is also a sign of our unwavering support for the local creative community.
“We implore such initiatives and call out to the entire nation for more such initiatives, which are in line with our desire to develop new tourism products and diversify the existing product base. This will be critical in the realisation of the tenets of the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy, which seeks to grow the tourism economy into a US$5 billion economy by 2025,” he said.