Food Tourism worth exploring

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

ALSO known as gastronomic tourism, tasting tourism, and simply food tourism, culinary tourism refers to adventurous eating, eating out of curiosity, exploring other cultures through food, intentionally participating in the food ways of another and the development of food as a tourist destination and attraction.

History has it that as an emerging travel trend, culinary tourism became prominent in 2001 when Erik Wolf, president of the International Culinary Tourism Association (ICTA), presented a white paper about culinary tourism to his organization.

The paper evolved into a book that documented the growing interest in food and wine tourism and how requests for culinary tours could drive local businesses and restaurateurs to meet the growing demand.

As it is with any given sector of tourism, be it sports, cultural, aqua, space, wildlife, golf, conference, and many other too numerous to itemise, the goal of culinary tourism is to educate and inspire food and wine enthusiasts while giving the traveller a chance to explore the local area and learn about local food trends.

These trends are solely based on the different kinds of cooking techniques and food history.

Travellers can do so by participating in a cultural immersion experience at select destinations around the globe.

There is even what is known as Culinary tours and travel packages which include a wide range of activities related to cooking, food sampling, food trends, wine making and baking.

In addition to restaurant weeks in different cities, dining events and cooking competitions, culinary tourism encompasses culinary experiences, such as winery and brewery tours, tours of restaurants and food manufacturing plants, conferences and events with culinary professionals and cookbook authors, and ethnic food tastings.

With the many types available, travellers interested in eating, sampling wine and beer, cooking, baking and learning about the history of certain foods can choose from a variety of culinary tourism packages at renowned destinations and sites around the globe.

Ever heard of a place in Chisamba called Fringilla farms? This place for many year now has been a travellers venue to look for whenever on the Lusaka –Kabwe road, all because the pleasant and mouth-watering food atmosphere that attracts traveller.

Sylva catering is yet another local establishment specialised in a variety of local or indigenous food stuff such as chimpapila (bean leaves), impupu (pumpkin seeds), chikanda, chibwawa (pumpkin leaves), nsima and many other rich and nutritious Zambian dishes.

However, on the international scene, it is noted French food lovers may consider cooking classes in Paris or attending a French cooking school as a guest. Italy, Spain and other countries in the Mediterranean offer farmhouse cooking vacations, where visitors can live in a farmhouse or villa for an extended period of time and learn about local and regional cuisine.

Some destinations offer culinary tours and specialty dining experiences, where travellers visit various restaurants, cafes and bistros, meet with chefs and take part in food seminars or events.

Dotted round the globe are some of the Culinary institutes and chef training schools, such as The Culinary Institute of America, the United States' premier culinary college, which offer programs and events for food lovers who want to learn about the local restaurant industry, emerging food trends and food preparation techniques.

On its potentiality, the International Culinary Tourism Association (ITCA) states that culinary tourism is growing exponentially every year what with the steady increase in interest of food channels, travel shows featuring local and regional cuisine, food documentaries and online culinary travel shows, more consumers are travelling to various destinations just to enjoy a new food and wine experience.

It is, after a bit of this information on this yet another exciting line of tourism venture, consumers interested in sampling wide range of culinary tour or culinary vacation be it local or foreign they are liberty to work out an itinerary with a travel agent specialized in specialty travel.

The internet also does hold vital information on local cooking schools and cooking vacation packages in preferred destination of Zambia and beyond the borders.

A little bit of this and that food sampling will definitely make one's tour worth a life time change in what the next door pot of holds.

National Tourism Policy to guide tourism growth

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

“I believe that effective implementation of this policy will enable my Ministry facilitate the transformation of the Tourism, Arts and Culture sector into a viable and sustainable industry capable of significantly contributing to the GDP, job creation and poverty reduction.”

These are the sentiments Minster of Tourism, Arts and Culture Charles Banda shared with the nation through the stakeholders that attended the launch of the 2015 National Tourism Policy at Government Complex on May 31 2017.

Indeed it had to come and be in place for the smooth guidance and planning for the development of the tourism sector in the country.

Mr Banda categorically stated that the policy document is meant to position the tourism sector as one of the country’s major contributors to job creation and foreign exchange earnings.

This goes without saying as it spells out the roles of the all players in the sector to facilitate close cooperation with the line Ministries and Agency in Government as well as a broad cross-section of stakeholders in the industry.

“The purpose of the revised National Tourism Policy is to provide a strategic framework for the sustainable development of tourism in Zambia so that the sector realises it full potential,” he said adding that the updated policy ensures that the business environment is ripe for players in the sector and for the country to compete effectively on an international tourism market.

But one would wonder as to what has been happening for the policy only to be launched now and not yesterday when the sector’s rich and pristine nature has been there for grabs.

Mr Banda says the first attempt to review the Tourism Policy of 1997 was made in 2011 in order to take into account new developments in the tourism industry. However, the process stalled during the run up to the September 2011 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government election only to resume later after they had passed.

The tourism sector has in the last decade undergone considerable changes both at local and global levels to warrant review of the national policy.

In 1997, the first Tourism Policy was adopted and during the period under review it is noted that Zambia has tremendous natural and cultural heritage to share with its citizens and the world at large.

It is noted that at the moment, Zambia is not full leveraging its tourism potential for the benefit of the country when it is well known that these resources can offer a lot of opportunities for the local social and economic development, especially if developed and managed sustainably through careful tourism planning and partnerships with civil society and the private sector.

However, in the new global tourism environment, Zambia is emerging as an attractive tourist destination with huge potential to exploit the opportunity hence the need for a refocused policy that also has the role of ensuring global and regional shares of Zambian tourism increase.

The 2015 National Tourism Policy further stipulates that at national level the need to revise the policy has arisen from the shift in focus of tourism not only being viewed as a source of foreign exchange earnings but also as a catalyst for job creation which is a major developmental objective of the Government according to the World Bank Report on Tourism Development in Africa (2013).

Tourism is recognised as one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.

The Policy notes that the Zambia economy has undergone massive transformation since the introduction of liberal economic policies in the early 1990s which has resulted into greater involvement of the private sector in the economic development of the country.

The economy is further characterised by progressive diversification where tourism is contributing significantly both in terms of composition of output and exports. It further states that the national economy has been characterised by a steady economic growth which needs to be increased and sustained if the economy has to create increasing employment opportunities for a growing youthful population as the national demographic profile shows.

That said and done, the Policy is organised according to the Government’s standard policy guidelines and it provides a situation analysis, the Vision for Zambian Tourism, Rationale for the Policy, Guiding Principles upon which the Policy is based, the Objectives of what the Policy intends to achieve, the Measures for achieving the Objectives and Implementation Framework.

These will in the next series be delved into. The National Tourism Policy is now here and it is time to get up and have all the cylinders firing for national prosperity.

President Lungu warns against bureaucracy

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has cautioned Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Michael Katambo and all extension officers at the ministry against any bureaucracy in implementing development in the fish industry.

“I don’t like warning people because if I warn and I don’t fire you people will be saying why haven’t fired him. It’s rare that I warn people in publicly but I want to warn you and your staff not to depart from the project objectives,” he says. 

Mr Lungu was sounded the warning yesterday when he launched the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development Project (ZADEP) in Lilayi under the theme “Zambia Aquaculture on Sustainable Growth”.

The project will be implemented for a period of five years from 2017 to 2022 at a cost of US$20, 89 million, 89.2 percent of which will be funded by the African Development Bank while the Zambian Government will contribute 10.8 percent which is US$5.49 million.

Mr Lungu has since commended the bank for its unwavering support to fund the project which is the first of its kind in Africa.

“Well done, we are exceedingly grateful for this valuable support,” he says.

He says despite the annual increase in fish production as a result strong push in aquaculture promotion, Zambia still has a fish deficit of 87, 000 metric tonnes.

Mr Lungu, however says Government’s resolve to proactively promote aquaculture has impressively delivered results increasing yields from 12, 988 metric tonnes in 2012 to 30, 285 metric tonnes in 2016.

“This significant achievement by the PF Government gives me hope that we are on the right path to boost fish production leading. We must cut fish imports and instead promote local production for export,” he says.

Mr Lungu who has also ventured into fish farming, noted that increasing human population and demand for fish as a source of cheap protein has contributed to the deficit hence the need to accelerate aquaculture development.

He says the project being conducted at the farm belonging to Dr Penias Tembo in Lilayi area is very important to the sub-sector as a viable and inclusive business opportunity to improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries in the aquaculture value chain.

“This project will help fish farmers to improve their business and managerial skills and the quality of their productive systems. Efficient production will help bring down the price of fish for consumers,” he says.

He further says about 12,000 fish farmers and entrepreneurs comprising 50 percent women and youth in the identified high potential aquaculture areas will benefit from the project.

And Mr Katambo says the launch of the project will transform the aquaculture sub-sector in the country such that a lot of people will benefit especially the youth and women who will be engaged in fish farming.

He says five aquaculture parks will be set up in expects Bangweulu in Luapula, Mungwi in Northern Province, Chipepo in Southern Province Rufunsa in Lusaka and Kasempa in North-western Province.

And ADB representative Lewis Bangwe says Zambia can revive its fish sector through the aquaculture sector because of its vast water resources and strategic positioning.

Meanwhile, Aquaculture Development Association of Zambia (ADAZ) chairperson Fisho Mwale who is also Director of Yalelo Zambian Fish is delighted with the launch of the project describing it as a milestone in the fish sector.

He commended Government for putting in place policies that promote the fish industry describing it as favourable.

Luapula Province potential tourist destination

 

 

By NDUBI MVULA, Luapula

IT is undeniable fact that the best and largest part of the Victoria Falls is and will always be in Zambia and not otherwise.

And Zambia Tourism Agency marketing manager Ruth Kambalakoko saya her organisation does not mince its words in its commitment to market the country's rich tourism potential.

She says, as depicted in the publication on display at the Luapula Expo, that Zambia is tge land of the legendary African walking safari, home to the Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, breath-taking lakes and wetlands.

The country is a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, and raw, pulsating wilderness.......all in one beautiful and friendly country, Zambia.

Zambia is acknowledged as one of the safest countries to visit in the whole wide world.

Blesses with more than ten magnificent waterfalls apart from the spectacular Victoria Falls,  Zambia offers several years including remote areas where you can get a glimpse of village life.

Also on the cards is cultural tourism that gives a plethora of cultures that awaits enthusiastic travellers in different parts of the country. 

However, in its latest publication "10 Most Beautiful Places In Luapula, A Guide to Luapula Province Heritage Sites" published for the Luapula Expo 2017, by the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC).

One of the featurea worth visiting is Ntumbachushi Falls, is located in Kawambwa District of Luapula Province on the Muchinga escarpment along the Ng'ona River approximately 15 kilometres west of Kawambwa district at latitude 9 degrees 25'S longitude 28 degrees 58'E and 250kilometres from Mansa.

About 1000 metres upstream, the Ng'ona River gracefully meanders but with yet several mini waterfalls  with about 5 cataracts and 8 natural swimming pools upstream the main falls which are Katongo and Fwaka before coming to the scenic wide plains as if to give an illustration of the masterly and divine architecture of the landscape.

The main waterfalls are about 60 metres in length and have a vertical drop of 30 metres.

At the foot of the falls is a calm pool for excellent for swimming and summer baths while in the same vicinity is another waterfalls popularly known as Mabila (daubed the Witchdoctor).

Other sites near Nthumbachushi Falls include Mbereshi mission and Kilwa island.

Part of the land available within the site for tourism infrastructure development under the PPP arrangement.

A tourist would not only enjoy the beauty of falling waters whilst at Ntumbachishi site but also the rich flora and fauna making up the highly biodiversity of the site.

Nthumbachushi Falls Site is also blessed with a number of rock art paintings which are located about 700 metres in the southern upper edges of the waterfalls and or Ng'ona River.

The paintings are commonly known as "window into the past artistic and spiritual" world of the Later Stone Age (LSA) peoples or the Ba Twa or Bushmen and believed to be over 10000 years old.

The paintings which are similar to those if Kasama's Mwela Rock Paintings, take both naturalistic and schematic stylistic nature.

It is noted that unlike Kasama Rock art that occurs in both Red Animal Tradition (Naturalistic) as well as  Red Geometric Tradition (Schematic), the majority in Nthumbachushi Paintings are in Red Geometric Tradition  and these include,  finger dots, lines ( vertical, horizontal and parallel), circles, arcs, grids, ladder, circles with radiating lines, concentric circles, divided circles, oblong shapes, arrow like designs, flower-like designs and cones.

Therefore, to all prospective tourists be it local or foreign, destination Luapula, the Land if the magestic Water Falls in Zambia has visa services that are provided by the commercial banks in the area.

And NHCC Executive Director Collins Chongo Chipote says as a Commission participating in the Luapula Expo gives them an opportunity to display the many hidden treasures of the province to the rest of the world.

"These heritage sites present a range of fascinating alternatives to hundreds of well-known tourists destination around the country giving you unforgettable experiences to life within a space of 50.6 square Kilometres," he said.

Indeed the die is cast and the Nickson Chilamgsa Luapula Expo Team has taken a giant step towards transforming the the area.

" Be innovative" Tourism and Arts Minister Charles Banda urges new National Heritage Conservation Commission Board of Directors

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

AS earlier stated on many a platform, Tourism Minister Charles Banda is on record of calling on all departments under his ministry to devise means and ways of marketing Zambia’s rich and pristine natural sites.

It is a well fact that heritage resources have the potential to contribute the national economy what with the importance that go with the cultural and natural resources dotted around the country.

Cultural and natural heritage conservation is based on a multidisciplinary knowledge base, drawing strategies and actions from diverse array of stakeholder groupings.

In the past recent years, government embarked on the provision of basic infrastructure at some of the site among which are the Victoria Falls, Mumbuluma Falls, Kalambo Falls, Lumangwe/Kabwelume Falls complex, Chinyunyu Hot Spring, Zambezi Source, Chishimba Falls, Ntumbachushi Falls among others.

NHCC Executive Director Collins Chipote once said during the Luapula Expo 2017 that with the basic infrastructure and the recent construction of roads leading to the heritage sites, there has been positive increase in both domestic and international tourists at most of the sites.

However, to achieve all this and attract more visits to the sites there is always need to have a working team that would help provide guidance in the marketing strategies desired.

“For the Commission to achieve its goals as defined, there is need for the Board to provide leadership, policy direction, and resource mobilization for conservation programmes. Heritage has the potential of funding its own activities,” Mr Banda said.

And the new board members are Professor Imasiku Nyambe as Chairperson, Dr Liya Nawa Mutale (Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Mr David Musoma, Mrs Josephine Bwalya Muchelemba, Mr Abel Kafula, Mrs Ireen Muyenga Kakompe, Mrs Hazel Mafwenko Zulu, Mr Clifford Chishala and Mr Collins Chipote.

“We need to start looking away from Victoria Falls to other heritage sites in terms of site development and promotion,” he says.

In doing this, Mr Banda says there is need to regard issues to do with the opening new avenues for generation of income away from the usual entry fees to heritage sites by making concessions relating to private sector investment in tourism and infrastructure at heritage sites a reality.

He says the creation of partnerships with various stakeholders in heritage conservation, protection and promotion.

Mr Banda noted that heritage promotion should be done in such a way that it is appreciated adding that doing so will eventually increase the number of visitors to the various sites.

He further said even if Government is working on some of the challenges being faced by the Commission, the Board will need to work hard and lobby the private sector for investment in heritage sites, lobby for increased support to the sector from the cooperating partners,” he urged.

He further noted that the Commission provides a link between the past, present and future, thereby promoting national identity through the preservation of Zambia’s heritage and ensuring sustainable utilisation of the heritage resources.

Mr Banda emphasised that heritage is a public good, essential for national identity, national cohesion, employment generation, education and cultural, religious values and increasingly Government’s across Africa anticipate that the heritage sector must create job opportunities and uplift undeveloped areas.

However, the framework for heritage in Zambia is defined by the NHCC Act, Cap 173 of the Laws of Zambia which established the NHCC and provides for definition and protection of both the central and natural heritage resource.

The Board is now in place and from the look of things, there is no honeymoon but to get on the work and hype the awareness through cooperating partners such as the Zambia Tourism Agency.

Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya confirms cholera out break in Lusaka

 

By NDUBI MVULA, Lusaka.

IN his Ministerial statement on the outbreak of cholera in Lusaka District, Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya confirmed cases of Cholera in Chipata, Mazyopa, Kanyama, and Ngombe compounds of Lusaka District and that there is also a record of one patient who travelled from Kasenga village in Chisamba District who was diagnosed upon arrival in the Capital City.

Dr Chilufya noted that the current outbreak was declared on 6^th October 2017, after laboratory confirmation of two initial cases that were presented to Chipata Level One Hospital on 4^th October, 2017. As at 18:00 hours on 11^th October, the cumulative number of cases was 37, with the youngest being a 3-month old baby who was certified dead within a few minutes of arrival.

He says the child tested positive to the cholera rapid diagnostic test adding that Twenty (20) out of the 37 stool samples tested from the affected patients were positive for Vibrio cholera.

“Currently, only three (3) patients are under admission and receiving appropriate treatment at Chipata and Kanyama Cholera treatment centers. One patient, a child, absconded aided by the mother from Kanyama Cholera treatment center. The other patients stabilized after receiving treatment and have since been discharged,” he says.

He says risk factors associated with Cholera in the affected communities include poor hygiene practices, erratic supply of clean water, and poor sanitation.

“As of this date, five (5) water samples tested from Chipata compound, specifically from boreholes B95, Mazyopa School and A16 as well as the B96 and Lusaka water trust tanks indicated contamination with fecal coliforms. Further analysis indicated presence of Vibrio cholerae in boreholes B95 and A16. With the foregoing, we have no option but to shut down the affected boreholes in our quest to stop the spread of the disease,” he says.

However, Cholera is a disease caused by bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, mainly spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include acute onset of diarrhea and or vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, and body weakness.

If untreated, the infection can result in rapid dehydration and death within 24 hours but that the Ministry of Health has put in measures to control the outbreak.

Some of the interventions that we have instituted include case management in which Cholera treatment centers have been opened in Chipata and Kanyama to specifically manage Cholera cases. These have been staffed with Doctors, nurses and other health workers as well as the provision of adequate medical supplies and drugs to support patient care.

The other measure is contract tracing under which the Environmental Health Technicians and Community Health Workers have been deployed to trace all contacts of the affected patients.

He says this is critical to quickly identify those who may have contracted the infection so that they are screened and given appropriate treatment and hence stop further spread of the infection. In addition, door-to-door distribution of household chlorine, and chlorination of water sources is on-going.

Also on the cards is the aspect for health education which Dr Chilufya health promotion messages are being given to the public through various strategies including use of mobile public address systems, and distribution of printed materials such as brochures, leaflets, and posters. Messages are also being disseminated through community radio stations and the public broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

On environmental management Dr Chilufya says water sampling has been enhanced in the affected communities and extended to the rest of the province to ensure that contaminated sources are identified as soon as possible in order to institute appropriate remedial measures.

He says chlorination of water sources is ongoing and in partnership with the local authority while waste management has been enhanced with more trucks mobilized to remove the garbage in affected areas.

“This however, needs to be escalated further by thoroughly cleaning up the affected areas including markets and streets through a multisectoral approach. Inspection of public facilities including markets, food outlets and other trading premises has also been intensified in the affected communities,” he says.

And lastly Dr Chilufya, on the multispectral response says his Ministry of Health is working in collaboration with various partners including the Lusaka City Council, Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company, the Zambia National Service (ZNS), the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, USAID Discover Health, Pharmanova and CIDRZ in providing alternative supply of clean water to affected residents using water bowsers.

He says working with the DMMU, works are underway to erect tank stands to mount fifteen (15) by 10,000 liters water tanks to supply clean and safe drinking water to affected areas. Further, the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company has been directed to provide a waiver for the affected communities and supply water at no cost to the consumer at the point of collection.

While working with the Lusaka City Council efforts have been stepped up to clean the affected areas whereas the street vendors and the public at large have been engaged to address the potential risk of spreading the disease through food sold in the open on the streets.

It goes without saying that as the rains are now here, there is need for everyone to critically and seriously observe high levels of hygiene at household level while Dr Chilufya and his Team are focusing on a wide space in the fight against cholera than leave everything in the government’s hands.

“I appeal to residents in the affected areas and the nation at large, to observe high standards of personal hygiene, including washing hands with soap and clean water before handling food and after using the toilet. Raw food such as fruits must be thoroughly washed and cooked food should be heated before consumption. Water can be made safe by boiling or chlorinating it. I urge our people to avoid buying and selling food from undesignated trading places such as streets. Further, mass gatherings should be avoided, unless absolutely necessary,” he says.