Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Given Lubinda has said there were tremendous socio-economic benefits that accrue from tourism development such as wealth creation, revenue generation and rural development among others.
Mr. Lubinda said government supports efforts of the private sector which are aimed at sustaining the growth of the tourism industry in the country.
He said this in a speech read for him in Livingstone today by Foreign Affairs and Tourism Permanent Secretary Ambassador Peter Kasanda during the official launch of David Livingstone Bicentenary 2013.
Mr. Lubinda stressed that 2013 would be an important year for Zambia as it would celebrate the bicentenary of David Livingstone and host the 20th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly.
He expressed confidence that the two major events would attract more visitors to the country.
He has since encouraged the private sector to reach out to as many stakeholders and partners as possible to ensure success and increased tourist traffic to the country.
Mr. Lubinda further called on the corporate world to support tourism development as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“I would like to urge the corporate world to support tourism and rural development as part of their corporate social responsibility even as government through the tourism marketing arm- Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB), will continue to participate in preparations for the bicentenary celebrations,” he said.
He noted that Dr. David Livingstone’s commitment and legacy to mankind was huge hence the world still celebrated his dedication to exploration, medicine, education and the eradication of slavery.
And speaking earlier, British High Commissioner to Zambia James Thornton said he was impressed that the Zambian government wanted to remember Dr. Livingstone as a great explorer who took exceptional interest in making Africa known to Europeans.
Mr. Thornton said Dr. Livingstone inspired many missionaries to come to Zambia adding that this contributed to the country’s current Christian status.
He said he was impressed with some of the ideas put forward by the David Livingstone Bicentenary Organizing committee such as the medical exchange between Livingstone and Scotland, cultural exchange between schools in the United Kingdom and Zambia and academic conferences on Dr. Livingstone among others.
Mr. Thornton, who arrived in Livingstone yesterday, is also scheduled to meet government officials and tour operators before returning to Lusaka tomorrow.
ZANIS
Fine. don’t just talk. clean up the town and work on the roads and reduce costs on accommodation and food.
ameno ubwingi fix the roads and airports and clean up the LVI town. People are landing there only to go spend in neighboring Zimbabwe(Vic falls town) because among the many things our lodges and hotels are way too expensive and these simply no aggressive marketing strategies, etc
Lubinda should tell the nation what his position is on Zambia remaining a Christian nation and on homosexuality. He is the one who used to discount the claims that sata and pf had agenda to remove the declaration from constitution and make gay rights legal. Tell the nation what your stand and that of your president is.
WHATEVER! Important question, has Ban Kim timo fimo left, no wonder who applied to host the UN tourism issues you almost letelad us nabusilu.
They should also look at where is heart and intestines where buried in Serenje!!! It’s a sorry site I must say!!!
Zambia is too expensive for sub standard services. staff are always busy on cell phones to deal with customers
Would be good to look at creating opportunities for kids in Zambia to visit tourism sites as sponsored school trips. Perhaps also more knowledge of what it takes to run a succesful lodge/resort or cultural entertainment activity so more share in the huge potential. We need to work to our strengths. Tourism is a definite area of growth potential that locals can benefit from with more creativity, innovation and lots of thinking outside the box. Let’s not leave it to the government to grow and market Zed. It is actually a weakness for them but rather than diss let’s get private sector solutions. We all benefit in the end by working to strengthen. I certainly plan to do my bit :)
‘Stone is such a small town with natural potential. Even if we did nothing this place would still attract people. Good luck my country — all because we keep waiting for someone to come do something.
NEWS FLASH!! “We are the change that we have been waiting for”, Obama.
Bo Lubinda – why are we still celebrating |livingstone in the 21st century. Livingstone was NOT the first man to see the falls. We should celebrate the Mosi o tunya as a world wonder and the people of southern province – NOT livingstone! We all know our history
Kamwendo munjila lubinda. So which part of the globe are you in today. You were busy condemning typishs travels but are doing exactly the same. Hypocrite. Sanganu
Kamwendo munjila lubinda. So which part of the globe are you in today. You were busy condemning RBs travels but are doing exactly the same. Hypocrite. Sanganu
Kamwendo munjila lubinda. So which part of the globe are you in today. You were busy condemning RBs travels but are doing exactly the same. Hypoocrite. Sanganu
Lubinda`s a let down..! I thot he was gallant man.ani kuti Kakololo wamuntu buuka.