Government calls for promotion of domestic tourism

Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minster Keith Mukata has observed that the tourism sector cannot sustain itself if domestic tourism is weak.

Mr. Mukata said there was therefore need to strength domestic tourism to help cushion the impact of external financial effects caused by economic recessions.

He said it was worrying that Zambians choose to spend holidays in South Africa instead of supporting the local tourism industry.

He explained that strengthening domestic tourism was cardinal because it will help sustain the sector in an event that foreign tourist arrivals slow down.

Mr. Mukata said this in Lusaka today during the official opening of the Zambia International Travel Expo (ZITE) exhibition held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

The Deputy Minister said the exhibition was a perfect platform for exhibitors to communicate and do business together.

And Mr. Mukata has since appealed to ZITE to use the exhibition to encourage local tourists to visit Zambian tourist destinations.

Meanwhile, Zambia Tourism Board Managing Director Felix Chaila said the exhibition provides a platform for local tour operators to showcase their products to the international market.