Thursday, March 28, 2024

We are still far behind in UNWTO preps, insists Livingstone Tourism Association

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FILE: Silvia Masebo with Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO
FILE: Silvia Masebo with Mr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO

The Livingstone Tourism Association has insisted that the Zambia is still far behind in preparations for the forthcoming UNWTO general assembly.

Last Friday, Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo told Parliament that Zambia is on course in preparations to co-hosting the biggest tourism indaba in the world slated for August next year.

But Livingstone Tourism Association Chairman Kingsley Lilamono maintained that Zambia still has a long way to go to prepare for the general assembly.

Mr. Lilamono attributed the delays in preparations to a lack of an autonomous local organising committee with executive powers.

“We do have a big challenge as far as preparations are concerned, from the outside, it appears we do have a local organizing committee but that is not the case. There I nothing happening on the ground,” Mr. Lilamono said.

He said roads are still in a deplorable state in Livingstone while the demolition of the filthy Zimbabwe market is still pending.

“The truth is that our friends in Zimbabwe have made significant progress and we don’t seem to be moving at all. The only progress we have recorded is the modernisation of the Harry Mwaanga International Airport.”

And Mr. Lilamono has stated that Southern Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Chileshe Mulenga’s “Know it all” altitude is negatively preparations for the general assembly.

“We worked very well with Minister Lubinda when he was in charge of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, we all worked very well with other past PS’s for Southern Province over the general assembly but since the coming in of Dr. Mulenga, things have not moved.”

“The PS is overlooking input from the private sector and undermine our efforts, we worked on the bid document for the general assembly and we know what it takes but the PS has this know it all altitude which is not helpful,” Mr. Lilamono added.

He has advised government to authorize the private sector in Livingstone to take the lead of the preparations for the general assembly.

He said Cabinet Office should quickly appoint a local organising committee spearheaded by the private sector in Livingstone which should be responsible for handling preparations for the grand event.

Over 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the general assembly to be hosted by Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls town and Zambia’s Livingstone.

15 COMMENTS

  1. Seems it’s another chimbwi no plan. That is why PSs should be appointed by promotion from within the civil service and not from the class room.

  2. Now we have been vindicated. Last week we had some chaps telling us that we’re not patriotic because of our complaints. Now who is patriotic? The people telling the truth or those telling lies? How can we say all is well when all is not well? We are good at talking with no action. You would expect this Dr Mulenga to be a knowledgeable person but alas he is a hindrance because he is not qualified to be doing what he is doing.

  3. “private sector in Livingstone to take the lead of the preparations for the general assembly.”….Well said,problem with govt workers they all want a piece of the action and the results are there for all to see.

  4. Surely how does one have a “know it all altitude”????Maybe thats why we can’t pull off a proper preparation because even simple chisungu is way above our comprehension.

  5. We’ve still got time to make a difference. Whether engaging the locals takes priority over vested interest remains to be seen. The benefit to Zambia as a whole could easily be overridden by elements trying to ensure they are in the front line for gains. What remains true is this is one where the public will see who is pulling the strings and answerable. In the meantime all hands on deck. We can see from a mile away they need help. Where do we sign up :)

  6. I BELIEVE HIM. I AM NOT SURE IF AS THEY CLAIM THERE ARE PUBLIC TOILETS IN LIVINGSTONE TOWN AND THE ADJACENT BUSHES. SO (WHEN THE PEOPLE FROM ALLOVER WORLD WHO WILL COME FOR THE EVENT) WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE UP AND ABOUT IN STONE TOWN AFTER HAVING A HEAVY MEAL WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO BE OFFLOADING THERE EXCESS BUGAGES NGA NAFI NEMISU FYA BASHUPA? IS IT THE USUAL WAY OF GOING ROUND THE ANTHILL OR UNDER THE TREE. THEN IN THAT CASE THE GRZ MUST ASK ONE OF THE SAFRICAN TO PRINT A LOT OF MANUALS FOR THEIR CRASH COURSE ON HOW TO DO IT ROUND UTUFYULU OR UNDER TREES AS THE LOCALS DO IT. SILVIA MASEBO CAN BE ASSIGNED AS A TRAINER TOGETHER WITH OTHER CAPABLE AND ENERGETIC MINISTERS.

  7. Zambia should not be hosting this meeting because its just an embarrassment.Walk around Livingstone,walk along freedom way or Cairo rd and you will see how dirty and disorganised zambia has become.Zim with all its troubles still puts up a better show than zambia which got independent 16yrs earlier.

  8. One wonders why Zambia, a dirty country, was allowed to co-host the event. There is filthy everywhere in Livingstone. The markets are the worst. Looks like dirty is one of Zambia’s attractions.

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