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.