Zambia’s tourist arrivals increased to over 900,000 in 2016

Charles BandaCharles BA

Tourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda says the country’s international tourist arrivals increased from 859, 088 in 2012 to 956, 782 in 2016.

Speaking during the launch of the national tourism policy in Lusaka today, Mr.  Banda says the number of tourism enterprises also increased from 933 in 2012 to 1,972 in 2016 with an estimated bed space of 55,253.

He notes that the tourism sector has scored some developmental progress and successes since the implementation of the 1997 tourism policy.

Mr Banda says the purpose of the revised National tourism policy launched today is therefore to provide strategic framework for further sustainable development of tourism in Zambia so that the sector realizes its full potential.

And Finance Minister Felix Mutati said tourism is one of the major drivers of the economy and if carefully planned, it can be used as an effective transformative tool for socioeconomic development and sustainability.

Mr. Mutati has since disclosed that his ministry and the ministry of tourism will soon engage with various stakeholders in the  tourism sector to discuss ways in which the sector can be further enhanced to contribute effectively to the country’s gross domestic products (GDP).

And speaking earlier, Tourism permanent secretary Dr Leah Mutale explained that the revised policy is meant to position the tourism sector as one of the country’s major contributors to job creation and foreign exchange earnings.