About The Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo (25-27 April, 2019)

I am so thrilled for the third Malawi Tourism Expo I will be attending.

The Takulandirani Expo will start tomorrow, Thursday, the 25th of April, and run through Saturday, the 27th of April at the Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe.

I remember when I first heard of the expo, and I wasn’t exactly sure of what the event was about, or what to expect. Knowing it was about Tourism was enough for me, and I set out with the “My Malawi Show” team, on the adventure to find out for ourselves.

WHAT IS A TOURISM EXPO?

Tourism destinations have a number of ways in which they promote themselves to their markets; either by participating at international or regional events to promote themselves and/or organizing an event in their own countries, and inviting others to patronize them.

In the Southern and East Africa region most countries organize International Tourism Fairs or Expositions (Expo), where they invite neighbouring countries or countries from the region to showcase their tourist products.

Country Tourism fairs where Malawi has participated at in the region include Botswana (Botswana Travel & Tourism Expo), South Africa (Indaba Tourism Fair), Zimbabwe (Sanganai World Tourism Expo) and Zambia (Zambia Tourism Expo). Other countries also have their own international tourism fairs such as Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda.

Holding a Tourism Fair or Exposition is one way a country can continue reinforcing its tourism brand in the market. A tourism fair brings buyers and sellers together in one place and facilitates face to face meetings and conclusion of deals. It provides a cost effective platform for local operators who might not have had the chance to transact business face to face with international buyers outside the country,

Hosting of buyers from all over the world also provides an opportunity for the international and regional buyers to sample and experience the destination. This provides them an invaluable opportunity to experience what their clients would experience when they visit the destination and also equip them to better appreciate and manage problems their clients would meet when they visit the destination.

Furthermore, a tourism fair brings with it both international and regional media who collect and write positive stories about the destination and also investment and trade opportunities the country has to offer the whole world. Those that visit the country also become automatic tourism ambassadors especially when they are satisfied and have enjoyed their stay. They are also likely to recommend the destination to others when they go back home and are also likely to come back on holiday with their families.

Holding of a tourism fair creates huge business opportunities for the local population in the areas of Events Management, Stand Construction, Furniture, Flower and Equipment Hire, Transportation, Printing, Security and a host of their opportunities.

Hosting an international tourism fair also exposes and equips operators in a country with best practices in organizing and servicing an international event. It helps create a pool of local expertise, and prepare the country to holding larger international events.

WHY WAS THE TAKULANDIRANI EXPO CREATED?

When I first attended the Takulandirani Expo in 2017, I was quite excited, because I was still developing the concept to my show “My Malawi“. We shot much of the pilot at the expo, and learnt so much about Malawian history, culture and Tourism.

Obviously, I had to find exactly what the value of tourisms expos, particularly the Takulandirani expo, is.

It offers a majority of local operators an opportunity to learn from leading operators from Malawi, the region and beyond on how they can market themselves in the comfort of their own destination. That is – exhibit, and sell in a cost effective manner because of intra buying and selling as well as those coming in from outside.
It offers an opportunity for key stakeholders (public and private) to appreciate that travel is only a component of tourism. This sensitization and educational process will include the general public.
The expo helps build the national tourism brand as it is an annual event.
Expos create seasonal jobs and businesses for entrepreneurs as they are involved in the design and construction of stands, branding and decoration among others. This further sharpens expertise in related business.
The country has an opportunity to showcase her attractions to buyers if the expo is combined with educational trips providing an opportunity to create and receive feedback. This therefore creates an opportunity for a multi-destination marketing by creating bridges with neighbouring countries.
It is a source of revenue for the local service providers and the country in general as participants will pay for their living expenses.

TARGET AUDIENCE?

I recall running into my Mangochi Tourism family, and plenty more people that I had not anticipated to meet.

The invitation for exhibitors will not only target the core tourism sector, but also target related service providers. Therefore, in addition to accommodation units, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, airlines, car hire companies, tourism training institutions, among others.

Briefly, the target audience is you and I. Anyone interested in Tourism. I would anticipate that you occassional plan your getaways within Malawi, and thus consider you a stakeholder in this event.

Other stakeholders include, government departments, cultural and heritage associations, telecommunications, the media, banking and financial service providers, entertainment industry, art galleries, among others.