TOURISM NEWS

June July August September October November

London to Cape rally comes to Zambia

The London -to-Cape Town rally passed through Zambia between 20th and 22nd November. The Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) together with the Zambia Motor Sports Assistant (ZMSA) co-ordinatd the Zambia sector of the rally. 81 vehicles and 195 people participated. Two types of vehicles were used, classic and 4 x 4 Adventure Drive vehicles. The rally flagged off in London on October 24 and will conclude in Cape Town, South Africa on December 4.

Microsoft boss invests in Zambia

The Vice President of United States' Microsoft, Paul Martiz has been granted an investment licence to develop a tourism spot near one of the largest parks on the continent - Kafue National Park. According to the Zambia Investment Centres bulletin, Mr Martiz will develop a tourist establishment in Lunga Lushiwishi Game Management area adjacent to the Kafue National Park.
"With this investment, the company will expand operations by opening up a new safari circuit," the bulletin reports." This would include game ranching, wilderness trails and mobile safaris." The investment is expected to create 26 local jobs.

Ethiopian introduce third flight

It is often said you can gauge the economic climate by number of airlines that fly into the country. With this in mind then introduction of a third flight to Lusaka by Ethiopian airline is a good sign for Zambia. Ethiopian Airlines area manager Fikru Zebib said this flight has been introduced to give passenger flying into Lusaka a midweek alternative to the Thursday and Saturday flights. He said since Ethiopian introduced its flights into Lusaka there has been a good response from passenger. He said Ethiopian airlines which has been operating for more than half a century prides itself on providing good service and comprehensive air fares.

Close down ministry, says economist

The Ministry of Tourism has often been lambasted for not contributing towards making Zambia a tourist destination. But now a prominent Zambian economist, Gilbert Mudenda, has suggested that government should just consider closing down the ministry which apart from "adding to the number of ministers" in the development of tourism has not played a significant role in the development of tourism. He proposed that the departments within the minstry should be shifted to other ministries and other could become autonomous bodies.

Vice President warns slack operators

Zambian Vice President Lieutenant General Christon Tembo has warned the tourism industry against becoming complacent. Speaking at a recent public function, vice president Tembo who is a former Minister of Tourism said despite the strides that have been made in tourism in recent years a lot still has to be done for Zambia to become a top tourist destination. He said in Zambia it is still very much a case of talking of tourism in terms of potential.

October

New Minister for Tourism Ministry

A mini-cabinet reshuffle has seen Minister of Tourism, Katele Kalumba, being replaced by former Communications and Transport Minister Reverend Anoshi Chipawa.

This reshuffle comes at a time when the tourism industry was getting used to Dr Kalumba who had been appointed to the Ministry of Tourism a few months ago. Dr Kalumba has now been appointed Minister of Home Affairs

Changes at the Board

Rumours that the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) may soon have to close its external offices have been quashed.

ZNTB acting Chief Executive, Agnes Seenka, said that despite inadequate funding the board will maintain its offices outside Zambia. But she said changes have been made at its offices in London and Johannesburg. She said Johannesburg manager Donald Pelekamoyo replaces London Manager, Josephine Chikwenda, who will return to head office in Lusaka. The new manager in Johannesburg will be Margaret Makungo who has been moved there from head office.

Lusaka upgrades culture village

A group of investors are hoping to entice visitors to stay longer in Lusaka with the upgrading of the city's run down Kabwata Cultural Village.

Coordinator of the Kabwata Cultural Village upgrading projects, Ebba Augustin, said a group of investors have pooled their resources together to upgrade the cultural village as a way of encouraging tourists to stay longer in Lusaka. She explained the current scenario is that tourists are not willing to spend time in Lusaka because of the limited activities on offer. But she said once the village is fully operational it will promote Zambian cultural activities which would be of interest to tourists. she is optimistic tourists will be willing to stay longer in Lusaka if for nothing else - at least to learn about the country's culture.

Zambia heats up London

Twelve companies are off to London's World Travel Market in the hope of getting more tourists to choose Zambia as a holiday destination.

Despite the fact that only a small contingent will travel Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) assistant manager Imbuwa Sianga, is confident Zambia will be able to attract the attention of the overseas market. Reason? She said Zambia has loads of exciting new products to show to the world.

New Tourist Map launched

A tourist map of Zambia has now been launched.

Part of the Macmillan Traveller's map series it is being touted as the 'informative and comprehensive new guide specifically designed to meet the needs of visitors to this fascinating and varied country.' The map has been approved by the Zambia National Tourist Board and incorporates plans of the country's major tourist attractions, wildlife identification chart and colour photographs.

September

Push harder for visas to be dropped, says Minister

It seems if you talk loud enough ad long enough someone ill eventually listen. After incessant complaints about the adverse impact visa charges are having on tourist trade on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, Tourism Minister Katele Kalumba has invited tour operators to submit a report to his office justifying the reasons visa charges should be dropped.

Dr Kalumba said while tour operators have made verbal complaints what is required is the submission of a well thought out argument to his ministry stating why visa charges should be dropped. He said armed with this information his ministry would then consider putting forward a proposal to the Ministry of Affairs stating the concerns of tour operators.

Sun takes away employment blues

With the high unemployment rate in the country, figures released by Sun International announcing the number of persons they expect to employ once the hotel complex is operational is a piece of good news the country could well do with.

Sun International (Zambia) general manager, Philip Couvaras, said with by the hotel begin begins operating by the turn of the century it will employ 7000. According to Mr Couvaras this will increase Zambia's formal employment market by 1.7 per cent. And he said the number of employees is expected to rise to 8,500 by the year 2003.

Tax authorities killing hospitality sector

Delegates at the annual Hotel and Catering Associaiton of Zambia (HCAZ) annual congress were informed that high taxes could lead to the closure of some hotels.

What should have been joyful gathering of hoteliers turned out to be gloomy affair with Hotel and Catering Association (HCAZ) president, Gaudenzio Rossi, blaming current levels of taxation for contributing to the difficulties being faced by the hospitality sector. He advocated for the broadening of the tax base rather than tightening the noose around the few tax paying companies.

Roan Air goes regional

Now in private hands the airline is making moves to service the regional market. Roan Air finance manager, Steve Simwanza said with the acquisition of a new aircraft the airline will begin by servicing Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Windhoek, Namibia. He said this is the beginning of their venture to become a regional and eventually intercontinental airline. He said Roan Air will also soon purchase another new aircraft.

Promote rock paintings, says cultural export

Zambia National Heritage Commission regional director, Mundumuko Sinvula, has criticised Zambia's tourist industry for failing to take advantage of the large concentration of rock paintings in the country.

According to Mr Sinvula with some of the largest concentrations of rock paintings on the continent Zambia could attract more tourists. Admittedly he said it may be only for a specialist kind of market, but said Zambia must continually diversify its tourist product.

August

Zamex suspends operations

Zambian Express Airways (Zamex) has suspends operations citing "unprecedented government intervention" in their operations as the cause of this development. In a hard hitting statement, Zamex management said the airline has been placed under receivership, but said the suspension is only temporary.

But government has refused to shoulder the blame. In reaction for these statemens government issued a reply refuting these allegations. A statements from the Department of Civil Aviation said "the reasons for the closure of Zambian Express Airways LImited have absolutely nothing to do with political interfence.

Face of Africa comes to Lusaka

Zambia's capital, Lusaka, plays host to the M'Net Face of Africa Southern African Region final.This prestigious contest will be held at the one of city's premier landmarks the Inter Continental Hotel in Lusaka on September 5 and will be broadcast to millions of views on the continent.

The competition was introduced to give young African women to break into the international modelling scene. The all Africa Finals will be held in Windhoek, Namibia in Februay next year.

July

Sun complex will not impact negatively on Vic Falls

Sun International has put to rest fears that their new hotel complex to be built by the Victorial Falls in Livingstone will impact negatively on the falls.

Sun International Southern Africa Development Manager, Trevor 'tHart confirmed that the being fully aware of the importance of the Victoria Falls site the group has commissioned an environmental impact study. Mr 'tHart has said the environmentalists are currently holding consultations with the relevant stakeholders. He said this will enable the group to put up the complex with minimal adverse impact on the environment.

New Savoy up for sale

Following highly publicised slanging matches in the local press between the parties who were in the process of buying 154 room New Savoy Hotel in Ndola the Zambia Privatisation Agency (ZPA) has withdrawn the mandate for them to buy the the hotel.

A ZPA statement that the ZPA board took this decision because of the problem between the Savoy Hotel Management/Employeee Buy Out Team and equity partner had been given the mandate to jointly manage the Hotel, pending completion of the sale process. And now ZPA has put up adverts offering the hotel for sale.

The New Savoy is the largest hotel in Zambia's Copperbelt region.

Airline to open new route

Uganda airlines will soon introduce another flight on the Lusaka Entebbe route. Uganda Airlines spokesperson said this flight has been introduced to facilitate increasing passenger traffic between Lusaka and Entebbe in Uganda. She said currently the airline operates a weekly flight on the Lusaka - Entebbe route. The airline operates a 732 200 aircraft on this route.

Hotel school goes on-line

Hotel and Tourism Training Institute Trust (HTTI) has joined the information age.The training school recently received a donation of laptops from the US based RAMADA hotel chain which will enable them to benefit from the interest. RAMADA licencee, Colin Noble, said the donation was made with the intention of enabling students to keep up with the latest worldwide trends in the hospitality industry.

Legislation to empower locals

Being fully aware that the future of the country's national parks will depend on the good will of the local communities surrounding them governemnt is putting legislation in place to enable local communities to benefit from these parks. National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Director, Ackim Mwenya has said that legislation will soon be in place that will empower local communities to get revenue from lodges and camps operating in their area. He said it has become clear that game parks can not be treated as pristine islands separte from the communities that surround them but must also financially benefit these communities.

June

Visas hinder tourism

Tour operators in Livingstone have complained that tourism is being hamstrung by visa requirements about the tourist visas imposed on tourist. Livingstone Tourism Association chairman, Colin Lowe, said the visa requirement has had a negative impact on the number of tourists visiting the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. He said that interviews with tourists at the border have revealed that a number of them have been dissuaded from visiting because of the $10 visa charge imposed on them. He said that by waiving the visa fees Zambia stands to gain much more once the tourists are in the country.

Zambian tourism poor performer

While the number of tourists to Zambia grew by 27 percent in 1997 to 340896 and earnings climbed by 29 percent to US$ 75.5 million the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) is far from satisfied with the country's performance. Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) acting chief executive, Agnes Seenka, said despite unquestionable tourism assets that could place the country among the most visited African destinations Zambia has not performed well in relation to her competitors. She said Zambia can no longer promote itself solely as a wildlife destination and needs to diversify its product . She said while Zambia's wildlife product appeals to tourists, they require more activities to attract them to the country.

Country Club project on hold

The controversial Chalimbana country club project has still not got the go ahead to begin construction. Environmentalists have said the 200 bed complex scant consideration has been given to the negative impact the development by levelling the trees and damming the water to continuosly water the will have negative impact on the forest reserve . Environmentalists say the forest in which the 200 bed complex is to be built is a protected area and development of this kind will destroy the forest. However, the developers of the project recently held a meeting to give the public an opportunity to air their concerns. A partner in the project, Gary Page, refuted these claims and said the developers will take into account the concerns of the relevant stakeholders.

Airport needs to be improved

Despite the increased investment in tourism in Livingstone there has not been a correspondent improvement in airport facilities. Livingstone airport manager, Joseph Mwanda, said the airport will need to change from a small laid back airport to meet the ever increasing demands likely to be put on it He said the airport currently not able to cope with larger intercontinental aircraft and approximately US$30 million will be required to redo the runway to cope with this type of aircraft .The airport buildings will also require a total overhaul added Mr Mwanda.

Danes require Visas

In a tit-for-tat gesture the Zambian government has re-introduced visa requirements for tourists from Denmark. A Department of immigration statement said Danish tourists visiting the country will be required to pay a visa fee of US $25.The statement said these fees were imposed following the Danish government's re-introduction of visa fees for Zambians wishing to travel to Denmark.

Zesco opens up falls

For the tourism sector the Zambia Electricity Supply Company (Zesco) diversion of water from the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls for its Victoria Falls hydroelectric power station which has meant less water reaching the Falls, has greatly reduced the beauty of the Falls. However, in a positive development Zesco , as part of the rehabilitation programme, is taking steps to correct some of the negative impacts of electricity generation. Project manager of Zesco Rehabilitation Project, Cyprian Chitundu, said Zesco is taking steps to make it possible for tourists to descend deep within the gorge into which the Falls descends once again. He said the company realised that due to its operations the stairs that had made it possible for tourists to view the Falls from below are now underwater. He said by diverting water away from the stairs tourists will once again be able to gain a unique perspective of the Falls. He said that Zesco has taken this measure as a to add to the public's enjoyment of the Falls.