Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, says the 2026 budget allocation of 1.54 Billion Kwacha under his Ministry is sufficient to improve the tourism sector in the country.
Mr Sikumba says one of the key priority areas to be addressed is infrastructure development which has remained a challenge towards the development of the sector.
He explained that due to scarcity of infrastructure, it has affected access to some tourism sites by both tourists and investors who would want to develop the areas.
Speaking during an interview with the media, The Minister assured that the government will take infrastructure development to enjoyable places that remain inaccessible and less developed.
Mr Sikumba said that these are areas that are already enshrined in the 2018 to 2038 Zambia Tourism Master Plan.
“We as a government are not just building infrastructure to run but building infrastructure that will be a catalyst for investment. A number of areas in our country remain undeserved purely because of access,” Mr Sikumba said.
He stated the reason why airports are being constructed and rehabilitated in various parts of the country, a sure indication that there is political will for more investment.
Mr Sikumba therefore invited people to invest in heritage sites, stating the need to monetise the natural resources for the benefit of citizens.
He noted that the country’s GDP target growth can only be achieved with concerted efforts from sectors such as tourism, alongside mining, agriculture, energy and manufacturing.
