Livingstone Chamber of Commerce President Miles Daka says the challenges facing business houses in the tourist capital are not getting the attention they deserve from government.
Mr. Daka noted that key infrastructure facilities that government pledged to commission ahead of the hosting of the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly last year, have not yet been completed.
“Before the UNWTO-General Assembly the local business community cooperated and worked tirelessly to make the hosting of the event a success, but did not get back their investment returns, partly because key infrastructure remains uncompleted,” he said.
Mr. Daka said this in a statement made available to ZANIS in Livingstone today.
He also expressed concern on the decision by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), to introduce a toll gate at the entrance to the Zambezi water front for the purpose of charging the community, local and foreign tourists.
“Government needs to immediately scrap off these charges failure to which there will be serious consequences the charges introduced at the ZAWA gate will distort the spending patterns of local tourists and operations of tour operators,” he said.
He said despite these challenges, the local Chamber of Commerce would continue working with government and all stakeholders in finding solutions to challenges the business community was facing.
The Livingstone Chamber of Commerce and Industry successfully held its Annual General meeting over the weekend at Limbo lodge.
The meeting which was witnessed by the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Development advisor Mr. Sven Buchholz saw Miles Daka retain his position as President.
The new Vice President is Mrs. Ruth Henson, while the position of Treasurer was retained by Mr. Steven Mwiinga; the positions of secretary and research/development officer went unopposed with Kunda Mwendapole and Shangwa Chime retaining their positions.
The newly elected members pledged to work extra hard to make the organization more vibrant to mitigate the challenges the business community was facing and reinforce their lobbying and advocacy roles.
The sore truth is “Most Africans Cannot run Countries”
Its sad but true, as all the evidence is there before our own eyes. We can bury our heads in the sand, & continue existing in a permanent delusional state.
In Sub Saharan Africa, theres probably only 3 African states that have properly functioning governments, which develop their countrie to an acceptable international standard.
The rest despite lots of resources, big talk, & promises, end up “Dirty failed States” with the few CORRUPT Leaders @ the top benefiting their own families & pockets.
Good notice!! I am really happy that the govermment listen to us, you are all lyers, you are enemyes of the goverment, we are all gonna kill you AUPA Miles Daka. Greattings from New York
AHAHHAHAHAH N OSE TU COMENTARIO CHORIPANero, YA DI COMENTARIO NO TE PUEDO RESPONDER MAS
JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA QE GRACIOSO QUE SOY ME VOY Q MAMA HIZO LA COMIDA ADIOS!!
SALUDOS DESDE VILLA MARTELLI
Confussion in the country anyone can put toll gates oops i will also do it on my farm area.
Over here in Canada, you pay gate fees whenever entering a national park,,,, regardless of whether you are just driving through on your way or your doing the tourist thing
So what’s so special with people there that they should not pay a dime?
Just shut up if you do not know anything. The area being talked about is the only area locals can have a beer and enjoy the Zambezi River Waterfront..
You i see have never been to Livingstone and maybe do a bit of research before you give your ideas, first the places that are being charged to enter are on private land not park and you transit 200m on a govt road through the park to get to these places.
this road has been there since the 1900s.
to say in Canada you pay to go through Cdn parks is wrong, since when do you pay to transit from British Columbia to Alberta on the Trans Canada Hwy or the Yellowhead Hwy or when do you pay to stop in Baniff or Jasper towns. You dont so please get your facts straight, you only pay if you leave the hwy or use the parks. in zambia you dont pay to transit through Kafue N Park to Western Province on the main highway either , so why in Livingstone?
answer-its a easy scam for Zawa to rip off the…
The Untapped Potential of the city of Livingstone – By a Zambian who believes in Zambia
Zambia is home to one of the 7 natural wonders in the world but has little or nothing to show for it in terms of world class infrastructure . One wonders why Livingstone has not been transformed into an ultra Modern city considering the world class and local tourists that visit the city. With the proper state of art infrastructure, Zambia could generate enough funds to support the whole nation.
Instead of investing in infrastructure that slowly brings in income, Livingstone has to be top on the priority list as it could prove to be a quick turnaround investment . Looking at how Dubai has focused on modern eye catching infrastructure as a means of attracting tourists, Zambia can learn a lot from…
Zambia can learn a lot from there .
Below is a list of modern infrastructure that needs to be looked into .
State of the Art Malls
State of the Art Amusement Parks
State of the Art Water Parks
5 star world top Prestigious Hotel Chains including Hilton, Sheraton Hotels etc
Modern State of the art buildings all over Livingstone Town (Historic Buildings can be preserved using a Modern touch)
Modern state of the art roads
Construction of Mansions and upgrading of houses to Modern class
State of the Art hospitals
State of the art Health Insurance Companies
Encourage major companies to invest in Livingstone
Modern Fire Department with necessary equipment
World class restaurants
Top performing council
State of the Art Golf courses
Professional Police to ensure that the city is the safest .
and the list goes on. Zambia has the money to venture into this project and it can be done by strategists who believe in this country.
Zambian who believes I like what say unfortunately it’s impossible in Africa, we spent too much time politicking and trying to fight one another instead of uniting for the sake of development,I just thank God we haven’t destroyed the little we have, like most fighting nations have
Thanks. Botswana is a successful story. Let us keep hope alive maybe the generation that will change Zambia and put it on the world map has not yet been born.
Another example of government trying to squeeze as many $$ out of our fledgling tourism industry, no thoughts for the effect this will have on tourism numbers. GRZ needs to focus efforts are growing the WHOLE INDUSTRY across the WHOLE COUNTRY, not trying to get another kwacha out of every tourist. it is no coincidence that places like Kruger in RSA are cheaper to enter that any of our national parks, yets creates more jobs and income than our whole tourism industry put togther.