Citizens First party calls for tourism revitalisation task force amid decline in Livingstone visitors

The Citizens First (CF) party has urged the government to establish a Tourism Revitalization Task Force to address the challenges facing Zambia’s tourism sector, particularly in Livingstone, where a decline in visitor numbers was recorded during the festive season.

CF Chairperson for Tourism, Robbie Chazangwe, attributed the decline to factors such as the drying up of the Victoria Falls due to climate change and the ongoing load-shedding crisis.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Chazangwe called for coordinated efforts among stakeholders and targeted marketing campaigns to promote Livingstone’s unique attractions.

“The Citizens First party is greatly alarmed by the drastic decline in tourist visits to Livingstone, as reported, due to several underlying issues, including the devastating impact of the Victoria Falls’ dryness and poorly managed load-shedding,” Chazangwe said.

He emphasised the need for improved load-shedding management systems to ensure reliable energy supply in key tourist destinations and urged the government to rehabilitate dilapidated infrastructure in Livingstone and other sites to boost tourism revenue and support the country’s struggling economy.

Chazangwe criticized Tourism Minister, Rodney Sikumba, for addressing the issue informally via social media instead of utilizing official channels, calling the response unprofessional and ineffective.

He suggested that the recently appointed Ministerial Spokesperson could have provided a more structured and authoritative response to public concerns.

“This trend is a clear indication of the UPND-led government’s mismanagement of the tourism sector and Livingstone in particular,” Chazangwa said.

He stressed that the recorded decline in tourist numbers was a critical issue that required immediate attention.

Chazangwe’s remarks highlight the urgency of implementing strategic measures to revitalize tourism in Zambia, particularly in the wake of climate change impacts and economic challenges.

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