Journalists urged to be proactive in reporting about UNWTO

Government has implored the media to be proactive in highlight the unfolding events pointing to the co-hosting of the United World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) by Zambia and Zimbabwe in August this year.

Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Mwansa Kapeya said there was need for journalists in Zambia to sharpen their skills so that they can understand the event and cover it successfully.

Mr. Kapeya observed that journalists in other countries have advanced in UNWTO coverage hence the need for local media personnel to realise the importance of the conference.

The Deputy Minister was speaking in Lusaka today when a two-member UNWTO delegation from Madrid, Spain paid a courtesy call on him at his Office.

Mr. Kapeya reiterated that Zambia was ready to co-host the event.

Successful co-hosting of the event would tremendously help in promoting tourism in Zambia and Zimbabwe through increased publicity and tourist arrivals in the southern African region.

The Zambia government has since assured the would be UNWTO delegates that there will be fast and reliable internet services so as to improve connectivity in the host cities of Livingstone and Victoria Falls.

Zambia and Zimbabwe are co-hosting the 20^th UNWTO General Assembly from 24^th August to 29^th August, 2013 in Livingstone and Victoria Falls towns.

This is the second time the General Assembly is being hosted in Africa. Senegal was the first African country to host it.

More than 5,000 delegates are expected at the event which is one of the biggest tourism gatherings in the world.