TCZ calls on hotels and lodges to consider lowering room rates

TCZ calls on hotels and lodges to consider lowering room rates

Lusaka,February,20.ZANIS—The Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) has called on more  hotels and lodges to consider lowering  their room rates in order to entice tourists to stay in Zambia during the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) conference to be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe in August this year.

This call follows the decision by seven Hotels in Livingstone to reduce room rates ahead of the conference.

Speaking to ZANIS in an interview today, TCZ Chairperson, Felix Mulenga commended the hotels that have taken the initiative to reduce room rates ahead of the conference, calling it a prudent decision.

Mr. Mulenga explained that Zambia is competing with Zimbabwe on getting more tourists visiting the country, hence the need to ensure accommodation rates are competitive, while profitable at the same time.

He said low accommodation rates will give the country a good reputation which will tremendously help in marketing Zambia’s tourism Industry on an international level.

Mr. Mulenga said the UNWTO Conference is a huge opportunity for the tourism industry which should not be jeopardized by high accommodation rates.

He noted that Zimbabwe has low accommodation rates, hence Zambia risks losing out on the chance to increase the influx of tourists visiting the country if it keeps its rates high, as they will prefer to stay in Zimbabwe during the conference.