Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Humphrey Chibanda
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has projected an increase in international tourist arrivals to Africa.
Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the UNWTO Humphrey Chibanda says the UNWTO projects an annually growth of 2 to 5 percent in international tourist arrivals to Africa as a whole.
Mr. Chibanda who is also Zambia’s Ambassador to France observed that the projected increase was as a result of Africa’s resilience and attractiveness as a tourist destination of choice.
Mr. Chibanda, who was speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at UNWTO Commission for Africa regional workshop, says tourism sector has become a powerful vehicle to stimulate economic and social growth in Africa due to its forward and backward linkages with other economic sectors.
He notes that Africa’s tourism potential lies in its natural resources, historical and cultural heritage.
He has since called on African countries to increase their efforts in creating sustainable tourism products.
Mr. Chibanda says sustainable, competitive and quality tourism products require adequate policy and effective institutional framework which will enable an integrated approach to private public partnership.
The regional tourism workshop which was jointly organized by UNTWO and Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and tourism drew the participation of Zambia and several other countries accredited to the UNWTO.
Meanwhile Mr Chibanda has called on the Zambian tourism sector to widen their tourism products in a bid to increase tourists into the country.
This is contained in a statement made available to QFM News by Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia First Secretary Press and Tourism Naomi Chulu.