Tourism, hospitality has a role in diversification – Govt

Government says the tourism and hospitality sector has a great role to play in the diversification of the Zambian economy in addition to generating jobs.

Speaking at the 23rd graduation ceremony of the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI) in Lusaka today, Tourism and Arts Deputy Minister Lawrence Evans says skilled human resources in the sector will make it more productive.

Mr Evans says this will result in lower operational costs which will in turn generate greater efficiency and competitiveness.

He says the net result will be reduced cost of doing business which will position the tourism sector to earn more foreign exchange for the country by attracting more tourists.

Mr Evans adds that the Patriotic Front government has put up measures to improve the learning environment the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute which include assistance in building a library, expanding its learning facilities in order to improve the learning environment, adding in the 2015 national budget, the capital grant allocation to HHTI from the government for infrastructure upgrade has been increased by 100%.

Mr Lawrence further states that HTTI has a great mission to fulfill in providing skilled human resources to the tourism and hospitality industry in a world of growing consumption of services.

And HTTI Executive Director Dr Wilson Silungwe has implored the graduating students to seek ways of paying back to the country by ensuring that they contribute to making a change in the country.