Zambia's Ambassador to Sweden Rose Salukatula after presenting her credentials.

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.
UNDER the ambit of international relations, there is what is known as Economic diplomacy which deals with the nexus between power and wealth in international affairs.
Many a countries the world over have now shifted their attention and interest from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy which happens to be more sustaining the former.
Some think tanks say economic diplomacy not only promotes the State’s prosperity but also, as occasion demands and opportunity permits, manipulates its foreign commercial and financial relations in support of its foreign policy.
Accordingly, economic diplomacy is a major theme of the external relations of virtually all countries.
At home, economic ministries, trade and investment promotion bodies, chambers of commerce, and of course foreign ministries, are all participants in economic work which they undertake diligently.
Current trends include increasing collaboration between state and non-official agencies, and increased importance given to the World Trade Organisation issues, the negotiation of free trade and preferential trade agreements, and accords covering investments, double taxation avoidance, financial services and the like.
In this vain, Zambia is not sitting with arms akimbo as through its missions abroad a lot of interactions are being carried out by all diplomats in all the economic sectors of the country’s economy such as health, tourism, education, agriculture, technology to itemise just a few.
A visit to Sweden, at the Zambian Embassy, reveals that that country has embarked on the preparation of a Strategy Paper on Development Cooperation with Zambia for 2018-2023.
Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Head of African Department Helena Rietz, says the document which will spell out areas of cooperation would be concluded soon.
This came to light when Zambia's Ambassador to Sweden Rose Salukatula called on Ms Rietz in Stockholm, Sweden.
And Ambassador Salukatula is also on a marathon tour to meet stakeholders in order to woo investments to Zambia, following the presentation of her Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav on 9th November, 2017.
According to a media release by First Secretary Political and Administration at the Zambian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden Patrick Lubundo says following Ambassador Salukatula’s arrival in that country a series of meetings have been lined up all for the purpose of strengthening economic bonds.
He says already, a team of business people from various sectors in Sweden are set to travel to Zambia in April next year 2018.
Mr Lubundo says the Swedish delegation is expected to meet officials from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) as well as the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI).
This was disclosed when Swedish-Southern African Chamber of Commerce (SSACC) President Åsa Jarskog and her Vice President Eva Hytenget paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Salukatula at the Zambian Chancery in Stockholm, Sweden.
And Ambassador Salukatula says the move to meet Government officials, the business community and stakeholders such as the Chambers of commerce is in a bid to woo investors to Zambia.
She says her Embassy is interested in investments particularly in the agriculture, energy, fisheries and waste management sectors, as well as value addition as major areas of investment interest for Zambia.
Ambassador also met with officials from Sorokours of Trust Group AB and Industrial Frontiers who all agreed to partner with the Embassy to woo investment in various sectors to Zambia.
“Earlier, she met the Dean of the SADC Group, H.E. Mrs. Frances Victória Rodrigues, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Mozambique to Sweden, Ambassadors of Botswana, Angola and Namibia before meeting the Dean of the Africa Group, H.E. Mr. André Hombessa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Congo to Sweden,” he says.
During her engagements with her counterparts, the Ambassador called for continued cooperation at Ambassadorial level to enhance the good relations that are enjoyed at State level.
Abroad, embassies, consulates, and trade offices handle economic diplomacy with the main focus being on promotion, to attract foreign business, investments, technology and tourists.
Therefore, economic diplomacy connects closely with political, public and other segments of diplomatic work.
Ends.

Zambia to host region's largest vaccine plant

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya in a high level meeting Chinese counterpart Bin Li in Beijing. Picture By Stanslous Ngosa.

By NDUBI MVULA
THE Chinese Government will construct a dedicated National Public Health Laboratory that will serve both as a national and southern African regional reference laboratory.
The facility will enhance the detection of high risk pathogens (infections) using modern techniques.
Chinese Minister of National Health and Family Planning Commission Dr Li Bin said establishing the National Public Health Laboratory will serve as reference facility for the Africa CDC Southern Africa
Regional Collaborating Centre.
This came to light when Dr Li held bilateral health cooperation meeting with her Zambian counterpart Dr Chitalu Chilufya.
In a media release obtained from Ministry of Health Head of Communications and External Relations Stanslous Ngosa, Dr Li believes that close collaboration between the two countries will assist the building of Africa CDC and strengthen African countries capacity for public health services.
She said China will provide experts to work with Zambian counterparts over a period of time to transfer skills and knowledge to technical staff at the National Public Health Institute.
Dr Li said China will help Zambia attain one of her legacy goals of eliminating Malaria by 2030 and will also provide the expertise to fight malaria, as doing so will further enhance the bilateral health cooperation between the two countries.
And Dr Chilufya expressed gratitude at the Chinese Government’s gesture to help Zambia strengthen her health systems adding that the move will cement and take bilateral relations to another level beyond business but brotherhood.
Dr Chilufya said the support to the health sector will contribute to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
He said capacity building in emergency response and surgery as well as provision of surgical equipment and supplies will significantly improve the health systems.
Dr Chilufya has thanked the Chinese for showing interest to support various fields of nuclear science to improve electricity supply, medical treatment, irradiation processing and manufacturing of medical supplies among others.
Meanwhile, one of Chinese leading pharmaceutical companies, China Sinopharm International Corporation has partnered with the Ministry of Health to construct Vaccines and Medicines Company in Zambia.
The construction works will start as soon as the technical discussions are concluded and Memorandum of Understanding signed.
Some of the vaccines to be produced includes yellow, bOPV, HepB (birth Dose), IPV, Sabin Strain, Rota (3-Valent) Measles and HPV.
A Zambian delegation led by Zambia National Public Health Institute Director Dr Victor Mukonka are on a 10 day bilateral technical discussions on areas of collaboration and cooperation with the China
CDC.
Those in the delegation include Dr Kunda Musonda Head Laboratory Systems and Networking, Dr Muzala Kapina Head National Surveillance and Disease Intelligence and Dr Andrew Silumesi Director Public Health MoH.
The rest are Prof Aaron Mweene University of Zambia School of Veterinary and Dr Modest Mulenga Director Tropical Diseases Research Centre.

Media major player in tourism marketing

Tourism Media Master Class in session at Raddison Blu.

By NDUBI MBULA, Lusaka.
ZAMBIA Tourism Agency (ZTA) Chief Executive Officer Felix Chaila says for Zambia to market the tourism to the whole world, the media has to come on board as it holds a pivotal role in the sector.

Mr Chaila said this when he launched the Media Tourism Master Class which he believes will help the Agency develop a cadre of Journalists that would specialise in reporting on the sector.

"Media must always play its significant role in the marketing of tourism to the outside world as well as at local level. Our desire is to expect that this Media Master Class touches you all, " he said.

Mr Chaila also added that his Agency decided to come up with this Class so as to create long lasting relatonship with the media.

He said the idea for a Media Tourism Master Class is to effectivelly market the sector and articulate issues ably well.

Mr Chaila was speaking yesterday when he officially opened the two-day Media Tourism Master Class workshop at Radisson Blu.

Mr Chaila added that tourism on the world map has been elevated to second position from the chemical industry in similar manner that the Zambian Govrnment has re-classified the sector as second from agriculture.

He said this was plus to the organisation and commended President Edgar Lungu for upgrading the sector.

Mr Chaila also noted that it was for this reason that the Agency decuded to have the media on board.

"The Zambia Tourism Agency has taken a deliberate effort to engage and form strong bonds with the media for purposes of enhancing our relationships. Media are playing an important role in the growth and development and promotion by creating a better awareness and understanding to cater for the needs and requirements of domestic and international tourist," he said.

He said every traveller is a potential tourist be it local or foreign and it depends upon the campaign of professionals who are the media of the industry to top the potential and convert the potential into actual clients.

Mr Chaila stated that the role of the Agency is not to develop tourism centres but instead to market the tourism sites dotted around the country.

He has encouraged journalists to develop interest in various sectors of tourism such as bird watching, safari walks and drives which stand out as the best in the world.

Mr Chaila also noted that there is a new policy shift by governmemt in the sector from the previous stand of Government led private sector driven to the current government participation.

He also added that above all, a country's people and traditional ceremonies also make up the full package.

Mr Chaila however, noted that the Agency faces challenges such as in staffing which is supposed to be 55 but there is only 22 to cover the entire country.

Also noted was the fact that the Agency does not have adequate official representation in the overseas market and locally based regional offices as well as lowest tourism budget in the region.

He said border crossing challenges and airline connectivity is very cardinal.

Mr Chaila added that the nature of police road blocks dotted in many parts of the country also deter tourists from frequenting the country.

Zambia Scores a First at UNWTO conference in Jamaica

UNTWO Secretary General Dr Taleb Rifai meeting with teachers at one of the schools in South Luangwa National Park that has benefited from Sustainable Tourism. By NDUBI MVULA.

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

THE Zambian bar at the world’s tourism centre keeps rising with the latest being at the just ended United Nations World Tourism Organisation held in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The dates were from November 27^th to 29^th 2017 and Minister of Arts and Tourism Charles Banda represented and ably participated in the world tourism deliberations.

In a chat with him while in Jamaica, Mr Banda revealed that UNWTO Secretary General Dr Taleb Rifai made great mention at this conference that Zambia is the ideal Tourism destination of choice.

This mention just comes shortly after his declaration of the Zambia’s pristine tourism resort, the South Luangwa National Park on November 16^th 2017 as an International Sustainable Park for Tourism Development.

And the writings on the placard stuck to the monument in the middle of South Luangwa situated on the main road in the tourism resort are so fresh as they read;

“The South Luangwa National Park was declared an International Sustainable Park for Tourism Development on 16^th November, 2017 by Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Mfuwe-Zambia”.

As if this declaration was not enough, Dr Rifai and Mr Banda later officiated at the most colourful annual Pamodzi Carnival in Lusaka which has now become the country’s signature of showcasing Zambia’s rich culture and food from all its ten (10) provinces comprising of 73 ethnic tribes.

And the accolades take a high flight at the Montego Bay, Jamaica conference.

“We are attending a conference on "Jobs and Inclusive growth: Partnership for sustainable tourism." There are about 1300 delegates from all over 64 countries are being represented. Dr Rifai took time to explain the success of the UNWTO meeting held in Zambia and presented me to the conference for recognition. It was so humbling,” Mr Banda says.

He notes that the statement by Dr Rifai will help to improve on its visibility internationally as a tourism destination of choice in Africa.

“So far, a lot of interest on Zambia has been generated at this conference. The Tourism Intelligence International (TII), an organisation based in Germany and Trinidad has expressed their desire to work with us in an effort to reposition Zambia's tourism on the world map,” he further explains from Montego Bay.

Mr Banda says the TII are destination consultants.

“Upon collecting information about a particular destination, they identify its uniqueness and put reasons why people should be interested in such a destination and encourage them to visit. This in the end helps to increase the number of arrivals to a country,” he says.

One would wonder as to what this TII is all about and what do they do?

Tourism Intelligence International is a highly respected travel and tourism consultancy serving government and private sector clients in both established and emerging tourism destinations around the world.

The organisation enjoys a worldwide reputation for the quality of the research, analysis, advice and strategic planning in the field of international travel and tourism.

According to their web page, the TII are equally well respected for the abilities to help clients implement innovative processes that optimise the potential of individual operations as well as tourism sectors.

It is noted that "New Tourism" is tourism that is sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible, and mutually beneficial to visitors and host countries.

“As such, we are regularly retained by international agencies and organisations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the European Union, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Commonwealth Secretariat, to guide developing countries in their efforts to tap the economic and employment benefits of international tourism,” reads the information on the website.

Through their bases in Germany and Trinidad, TII is well placed to monitor travel, hospitality and consumer trends in the key tourism markets of Europe, the Caribbean and North America.

They share the trends with clients and subscribers through Tourism Industry Intelligence, a monthly newsletter containing strategic advice for decision-makers in the travel and tourism industry.

“In addition to our internal resources, the consultancy draws on a well-established international network of tourism professionals, independent consultants, companies and research houses,” reads the website.

The company has developed special expertise in the operation of small hotels, resorts, guesthouses and villas, focusing on, Training, Local Community Involvement, Sustainable and responsible practices, Establishment of Operational "Best Practices" and Product Development.

Other areas of focus that TII is engaged in are Marketing & Promotion, Customer Satisfaction, Technology Adoption and Product Packaging.

With all this support that the sector is getting locally through President Lungu’s decision to upgrade it from third position to second after agriculture and also from the international community, Mr Banda is confident that Zambia’s tourism is poised to take centre stage on the world map.

“Should we put our house in complete order and engage in such and many other strategies, our sector should be able to move upwards sooner than later. We need innovations and appropriate innovation pillars. We shall get there,” Mr Banda says.

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu in a discussion with Commwealth special envoy Prof Ibrahim Gambari at State House today.

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is of the idea that the political dialogue being spearheaded by Commonwealth Special envoy Professor Ibrahim Gambari takes cognisance of the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) which is the umbrella body of all political parties including the ruling Patriotic Front.
Mr Lungu said this at State House when he met with Prof Gambari who paid courtesy call on him.
“Our thought is that the ZCID should be an anchor. As President of the PF, we feel that prominence be given to the ZCID and the church mother bodies. By so doing we will get somewhere,” he said.
He said the ZCID is a credible body that embraces all political parties and is capable of representing all.
Mr Lungu said the dialogue should not be seen a PF, Lungu, HH, Gambari or Commonwealth affair but as a Zambian process aimed at finding answers for Zambian
“Zambia is bigger than Edgar Lungu or HH. It should be owned by all Zambians,” he said.
He said dialogue is important for all Zambians.
And Prof Gambari has commended President Lungu and the role his administration played in finding an amicable solution to the Zimbabwean situation as well as that of the Kenya presidential elections.
He further commended President Lungu for allowing First President Kenneth Kaunda and former Fourth President Rupiah Banda to play their part in the two countries adding that it is the role of the elder statesmen to come to aid when required.
Prof Gambari informed Mr Lungu that during his first meeting since arrival in the country, he has managed to meet with the House of Chiefs, Miniter of Justice Given Lubinda and his Finance counterpart Felix Mutati, Chief Justice Ireen mambilima, UPND, Church mother bodies and the Civil Society Organisations.
Others that he met are the donor community and the High Commissioners under the Commonwealth grouping and accredited to Zambia.
He said he yet to meet some political parties and the ZCID.
Prof Gambari, who also echoed Mr Lungu’s position that the dialogue is a Zambian process, also added that during his tour of duty in other parts of the continent, there is a call for Africa to speed up the establishment of an African Security standby force instead of relying on the west.
He said the standby force should have been in place by 2015 but it is now 2017 and nothing much has been achieved hence the need to rejuvenate the process.

This is part of the art in one of the gents at Marula Lodge in South Luangwa National Park.

By NDUBI MVULA, MFUWE.

IT is about 20 minutes past 01:00 O'clock in the evening and you may be wondering as to what the author is doing when others are in their mid-life moment into their deep sleep.

There is some heavy sound coming from just by the window to my chalet at Marula Lodge, in the middle of South Luangwa National Park. It is close and loud like a thousand loan mowers have descended on the just sprouting green healthy looking grass that will never see the flowers or seeds come off then.

This is due to the fact that as the night descends, some beasts from the nearby Luangwa River take to turns in helping the owner of the resort from wasting energy and resources such as fuel for the loan mower to cut the grass.

Upon arrival and after Adam who is at your service saves chilled non-alcoholic drinks to wash down and cool your throat after a long drive to the resort situated in Zambia’s richest natural treasure base, you are cautioned not to loiter outside once you retire to your chalet.

Yes, the richest base of wildlife is the South Luangwa National Park that accommodate this pristine resort structures much to the delight of the holiday maker be it a couple on honeymoon or family on a mission to take a quiet life into the hinterland for relaxation.

Marula Lodge resort is the answer and it's positioning gives one more impetus to realise and appreciate the essence of wildlife conservation which in turn rakes into the national economy more revenue to be cherished by all, countrywide.

It's so amazing to see these beasts doing their gardening round my chalet. Two of them now side by side taking charge of the gardener's responsibility and one wonders what he will be doing when he reports for work in the morning.

Does he get his full salary for the job he was employed to do or it is shared between him and these seemingly angelic beasts that happen to do most of the work in a fashionable way?

Fashionable in the sense that the work is done during the night when all guests, the owner,  staff and gardener are fast asleep or tossing in their cosy beds save for the night watchmen who keep vigil the whole night just in case an overwhelmed visitor attempts to leave their room to capture a glimpse  of the animals outside.

Well, these angelic beasts of burden are the hippos whose nocturnal duties seem to lessen the hassle of mowing the loan as well as slashing in some instances. 

Not only are the hippos that frequent the Marula resort at night, also the waterbucks in their family groupings happen to be regular guests that cherish the evening dinner of the green grass of life.

In turn, for a visitor to this magnificent resort, the entire evening is not boring at all as wildlife can be viewed from one's window without the help of a tour guide unless on a walking, canoeing or drive safari be it in the easily hours of the morning or night.

Also, just to be more careful as one takes a walk to and from their rooms, one needs to be mindful of the camouflaged frogs that could be lacking in the doorway or even inside the room especially the warm corners as they too have a right of way to seek for some comfort inside or outside the chalets.

The experience and many other that are explored in this rich territory of leisure and comfort testifies why the Zambian government and its cooperating partners have put more emphasis on the importance of conservation of wildlife.

Also a heavy roaring sound of a Lion is heard in the nearby wilderness signalling territorial dominance by the King of the jungle, so intimidating that one dares not venture outside but just make an observation of night life under lock and key as solution to safety.

Otherwise, the environment is awesome, soothing and worth whatever amount of money budgeted for.

Indeed this is just a tip on the iceberg in what Mfuwe or betters still the world's declared International National for Sustainable Tourism Development, the first in the entire wide world.

Kenyans find peace in tourism

 Peter Kinyanjui 27, a curio seller runs his shop on the Great Rift View Point of altitude 2140 metres says he is happy with the current prevailing peace. Picture by NDUBI MVULA.
 
April 10, 2009

Karibuni (Travelogue)

============================FROM the pangs of political violence that saw the once-upon-a-time bastion of peace and tranquility, Kenyans have vowed to put a veil over the turbulent past and walk in the light of a nation that speaks of nothing but prosperity. NDUBI MVULA was in the country and tells the story of how Kenya is restoring confidence back in its own people and the international community through tourism.

============================

UP in the middle of the Great Rift Valley, as you meander through the most breath-taking heights emerges a roadside curio market called Milano Curio shop run by a very determined young Kenya Peter Kinyanjui.

He is 27 years of age and recently married.

Kinyanjui who lives an hour drive away from the area where violence from the presidential aftermath was so rife has put the past in its closed and is moving on to make sure that his dear country prevails as a user friendly nation.

Armed with the nation’s airline Kenya Airways’ motto going thus “The Pride of Africa”, Kinyanjui says business has not been doing well during and after the political violence but adds that he is a happy man and is able fend for his family from his business of curios.

The political tranquility now existing in Kenya has to a large extent energized the likes of Kinyanjui and many others to soldier on and rebuild their country so that it prospers in one such area which is tourism.

Kanyanjui’s sigh of relief was also echoed by Domestic Tourism Council of Kenya national chairperson Anastazia Wakesho who said her organisation’s mandate was to make Kenyans appreciate the benefits of tourism and become players in the sector.

Ms. Wakesho who also owns Karibu Paradise Safaris based in Nairobi said now that the country was at peace and the political will demonstrated by political leaders has to a large extent added impetus to the promotion of the sector.

However, everyone today is familiar with the vast Kenyan exploited tourism industry which contributes greatly to the nation’s GDP and this has been due to the much dedicated marketing strategies that the government and the private sector have put in.

The tour-of-duty is dubbed as the Africa Mega Fam Trip.

To set the ball rolling for the eight-day tour of duty, the Zambian team comprising four tour operators, Bush Buzz Limited, Voyagers, The Travelshop from Lusaka and Royal Travel and Tours Limited of Ndola.

This was the first of its kind to be launched by Kenya Airways in conjunction with the Kenya Tour Operators and the government of Kenya in the quest to promote the regional tourism within the content and to all the routes the airline services.

In this launch, only 20 out of the 44 countries that Kenya Airways flies to participated in the inaugural treat.

It is tourism marketing strategy that is expected to positively contribute to the building of Africa’s economies through tourism.

Kenyan High Commissioner to Zambia Lazarous O. Amayo accompanied by Zambia’s Kenya Airways country manager Rose Kiseli were at hand to see off the six-man Zambian delegation commended the airline for having taken a noble gesture in promoting regional continental tourism.

High Commissioner Amayo said his country does not only want to capture the traditional tourism destinations within Kenya country but desire to venture outside.

He commended the Kenya Airways and Kenya Association of Tour Operators for coming up with such a challenging venture at the time when many an African countries were bracing with the global economic crunch.

The invitation of 150 participants was meant to expose the delegates to what Kenya has to offer and share the experience upon getting back to their respective countries.

Ms. Kiseli confirmed her firm’s desire to see the growth of the tourism sector on the African continent and beyond.

“The initiative is aimed at encouraging regional tourism. The trip will offer participants opportunities to network and share best practices from the continent,” she said.

She said a team of Zambian tour operators and journalists are part of the African countries that have been invited to sample Kenya’s tourism experience for the next eight days.

“Other participating countries include, Burundi, Cote D’ Ivore, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and Sudan,” she said.

“All participants will have the opportunity to experience both bush and beach holidays in Kenya,” she said adding that the visit would see them to Nairobi National Museum, lake Nakuru National Park, Masai Mara and its Mara river as well as a conducted city tour and also Mombasa.

Upon arrival in Nairobi the delegates were, straight from the Jomo Kenyata international airport taken to the Nairobi National Museum for a welcome cocktail party and for a night stop over before embarking on a trip by road to the Great Rift Valley.

The tour-of-duty was to enable delegates visit different attractions such as the coastal area and major natural reserves.

At the Nairobi National Museum, Kenya's Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang commended participants for making it to the first Africa Mega Fam trip, assuring that there was a lot of tourism potential that they were bound to experience.

"We expect our visitors to sell Kenya as a destination and as they interact, they too can get to publicise each other's country potential. So this is a great opportunity for us all as Africans," said Mr. Kajwang.

Mr. Kajwang further announced that his government starting April 1^st  was waiving off visa fees for children from the age of 16 years and below while the price of visa went down to 30 US dollars from the initial 50 US dollars respectively.

However, from Nairobi, the next stop was Lake Nakuru National park home to wide mouth rhinos, flamingos, pelicans and a variety of wildlife that make the area more interesting for game viewing. A night stop over was at Lake Nakuru lodge a pleasant resort where wild animals such as buffalos and monkey just roam within the precinct of the lodge undisturbed.

The following day April 4^th, it was yet another day of travel by road passing through huge farmlands and homes of the Masai people who to date still live side by side with wild animals, a unique specter where humans are allowed to coexist and live and share the national parks with wild animals.

The resting or camping site was Keekorok Lodge which boasts of being the oldest game lodge spread across 14 hectares of land and has 101 rooms comprising standard cabins and more luxurious chalets and the facilities of different bars and also the spa.

International celebrities and statesmen among them founding father of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Prince Charles visited the lodge.

Then came the drive with Direction Connection a tour operating firm in Nairobi down to Masai Mara where more game drives were carried out both in the morning and afternoon taking the party to the border with the Serengeti and coining it with the visit to the Mara River, the historical site for the August migrations of animals as depicted on the television programmes of Planet Earth, Nature Watch or National Geographic.

It was in the Masai Mara plains on the same day of arrival where three male lions were found feeding on a Zebra they had managed to hunt down. The morning drive exposed lots of different animals from giraffe to an assorted specie of antelopes, lions, Zebras, Ostriches, a shy Black Rhino to the climax of it all, the Mara River where hippos and crocodiles were found wallowing in shallow waters as the river succumbed to the fast drying up of their life line due to late rainfall.

We then came into close contact with the pride of lions, about 13 found resting in the bushes on the pride rock after a nice meal of either Zebra or antelope.

April 5^th, was the day for departure to yet another of Kenya’s golden goose . . .  Mombasa.

And the destination was the Baobab Beach Resort & Spa situated right on the foot of the Indian Ocean. Away from the roaring lions and hippos to the beach with rather humid/wet temperature but bearable.

This is where a variety of resorts, huge hotels coupled all if not almost situated on the beach front much to the pleasure of visitors.

Resorts that were visited are the Leisure Lodge Resort, Leopard Beach Resort & Spa, Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa, an 18-hole Leisure Golf Club and Shimba Hill Safari Lodge situated 45 kilometres from the sea.

Leisure Lodge resort sales and marketing manager Florence Nduta could not hide her gratitude upon the receiving the Zambian delegation at her resort saying government has done tremendously well in the promotion of tourism more so with the appointment of current Minister of Tourism Najib Balala who has a first-hand experience of the industry.

Balala is originally from the coast and represents one of Mombasa’s constituencies and has previously worked in his family travel business.
Observers say that the appointment of Balala raises hopes that the revival of the country’s tourism business would be put back at the top of the new government’s agenda.
Balala was included in a new cabinet announced as the country was hosting 204 journalists from around the world on a mega-fam press trip.
The week-long press visit was the first stage of the Kenya tourist board's strategy to boost its tourism market after a decline caused by recent political strife.
“Balala is the best thing that has happened to Kenya tourism at a difficult time like this. He comes from Mombasa and 60% of Kenya’s tourism activities are concentrated on the coast,” Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Manager for Kenya Tourist Board Rose Kwena was quoted in one of the media outlets as saying.
Other players in the Kenyan tourism industry strongly feel that Balala was the right man for the job because he understands the nitty gritty of the tourism industry.

And in his speech during the farewell gala dinner for the 150 delegates at the Carnival Restaurant, Balala said his country was proud to be associated with the rest of the continent by spreading its wings widely so as to attract visitor within Africa.

He said southern African countries were high on the ladder in the promotion of domestic tourism hence Kenya’s move to take the same path adding that outside the continent the market was already secured but wanted to attract as many Africans as possible because the country has a lot offer.

“The continent of Africa is the richest yet we are poor. We need to move away from this platform and project the brighter side. We are in the process of constructing a new international airport to cost US500, 000 and Kenya Airways will soon become the giant airline on the continent,” he said.

And Kenya Airways Managing Director Titus Naikuni said it was encouraging for his firm to be part of the bigger picture of promoting tourism in Kenya adding that the task was made lighter with the involvement of other players in the tourism industry describing it as the biggest in the future.

Naikuni said it was high time Africa rose high above the negative picture and broke the myth that it was a continent drawned in disaster.

Indeed it never be more than what Naikuni has put nit than to hid the clarion call of making Africa the best ever destination that one can think of and this can be achieved through an inspiring method that Kenyans have embarked to open up to the rest of the continent. It is only hoped that Kenyan concept can be replicated in other countries.

Like someone once said “Whatever we write about here is nothing compared to trying this yourself,” it is time to prepare your bag and get Kenya Airways take you the rich treasures that Kenya has at your disposal.

Ends.