Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary, Reverend Mathews Chilekwa, says involving key stakeholders in legislative reforms that impact the tourism and hospitality industry is essential for enhancing service standards and establishing Zambia as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.
Speaking when he officially opened a two-day Provincial Stakeholder Consultative meeting held at the Provincial Administration Boardroom in Chinsali District today, Rev Chilekwa said recommendations from key stakeholders will play a significant role in refining the legislative reforms that govern the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
Rev Chilekwa encouraged stakeholders in Muchinga Province to engage openly in order to ensure that the consultative process has a shared understanding and a unified purpose from stakeholders in Muchinga.
“As stakeholders in Muchinga Province your positive response to this consultative meeting shows a collective commitment shared towards strengthening Zambia’s Tourism and Hospitality sector,” he said.
The Provincial Permanent Secretary added that the sector continued to play a vital role in the national development agenda hence, adequate stakeholder consultations on key legislative instruments which include the Tourism and Hospitality amendment bill, the Zambia Travel and Tourism Agency bill and the Travel and Hospitality Professions’ Association of Zambia bill was cardinal.
He further said the highlighted bills were key to the conceited efforts aimed at modernising the regulatory framework and enhancing professionalism.
Earlier officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Zambia Tourism Agency paid a courtesy call on Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Reverend Mathews Chilekwa.
And Ministry of Tourism Chief Planner Sydney Tembo said reviewing of the key legislative reforms comes after raising demand from stakeholders to have the legislative Reforms that govern the tourism and Hospitality sector to be reviewed and refined.
Mr Tembo highlighted that one of the key issues stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry are advocating for was the streamlining of regulations through a unified licensing system to improve service standards.
He said this contrasts with the current situation, where multiple registration processes are required for one to operate within the sector.
