A TRAVEL and Tourism company based in France, Eurowings Group Tawney, has observed that Zambia is an affordable tourism destination contrary to false claims that the country is an expensive tourist destination.
The French firm made the observations when it returned from Zambia where it conducted a familiarisation tour.
This is according to a press statement released yesterday by First Secretary for Tourism at the Zambia Embassy in Paris, France, Percy Ngwira.
Mr Ngwenya, who is Zambia’s liaison officer at United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), said the French firm made the remarks in France after concluding a tour of selected tourism sites in Zambia.
This came to light when Bonnis Sébastien, who is the Tourism Product Manager in charge of Asia – East Africa & Southern – Indian Ocean – South and Central America – Caribbean for Eurowings Groupe Talwyne paid a courtesy on Zambia’s Ambassador to France, Humphrey Chibanda, at the Zambia Embassy in Paris.
Mr Sebastien was part of the European travel agents that travelled to Zambia on a seven day familiarisation tour in May 2015, at the invitation and sponsorship of Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines.
The itinerary included the City of Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park and the City of Livingstone.
Mr Sebastien informed the Ambassador that before travelling to Zambia, he had a different picture of Zambia as a tourist destination for the Europeans.
He said he was amazed at the tourism development in Zambia saying his experience in Zambia was something he would never forget.
His experience in South Luangwa National Park is one he shall forever cherish in his life of travel.
Mr Sebastien informed Ambassador Chibanda that he was surprised at the abundance of wildlife in South Lungwa National Park.
Though he have never been to other parks in Africa, other travel agents that travelled with him on this tour have had a chance to visit other parks in Africa but they confessed that South Luangwa is one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
“Imagine we were able to see all the African big Five with two hours of our first tour of the park.
“I don’t know if lucky was on our side that day but I think it was just amazing,” Mr Sebastien said.
He said he was very glad to have been exposed to all the tourism products in the destinations that they visited in Zambia and for having been given a chance to sample various accommodation facilities that Zambia offers from five star hotels to safari camps.
Mr Sebastien said Zambia, just like any other competitor destination in southern Africa, was not expensive.
“I had a chance to collect the rates for accommodation and tour activities and since coming back I have been making comparisons and I can confidently say Zambia is not an expensive destination tourist compared to other destinations in the region,” he said.
On Lusaka, Mr Sebastien said he was amused at how fast the capital city of Zambia was developing which was a good for city tourism.
He also said Livingstone was truly the tourist capital of Zambia as one could find and do all tour activities in place saying the country’s tourist ciy was an amazing tourist destination.
“Your Excellency, you have an amazing country and you have a lot to offer to the French market. The only problem is that Zambia is not yet competitive in France as a tourist destination of choice.
“You need to do more marketing activities to make the French population know what Zambia offers.” he said.
Mr Sebastien also bemoaned the absence of a direct flight from Europe into Zambia.
In response, Ambassador Chibanda thanked Mr Sebastien for having taken time off his busy schedule to share with him his experience of Zambia as a tourist destination.
Mr Chibanda called on Mr Sebastian to continue helping the Zambian Embassy in Paris and ZTB in the marketing efforts to make Zambia a tourism destination of choice for the French market.
Our foreign missions don’t market our country. They’d rather be begging a foreigner to market it for them. In my travel, i always tourism ads in by other countries, never have i seen one for Zambia
We have a serious Problem, there is no clear strategy on Tourism with all Embassies doing nothing?? Look at Kenya??they even have electronic online Visa applications for Tourists. Zambians always want to be behind others.. We can’t Innovate / think because people in these positions have their brains occupied thinking about how they will steal..
Sad situation.
Pardon my typos, i didn’t read through.
@The Prince, totally agree