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The Zambian government has begun the process of repealing several tourism-related laws to align them with modern trends and enhance the sector’s performance.
Tourism Minister, Rodney Sikumba, speaking at a stakeholder engagement meeting at Ciera Resort in Chongwe District on Friday, revealed that the Hospitality Act, Museum Act, and Heritage Act are among the laws set to be repealed.
Sikumba explained that the reforms would allow the ministry to introduce new Statutory Instruments to support the implementation of existing legislation.
He noted the current issue of overlapping licenses, emphasizing the need to streamline licensing processes for clearer guidance to stakeholders.
“To ensure accurate tracking of tourism numbers, there is a need for real-time data. This will enable better decision-making and planning for the sector,” Sikumba said.
The minister highlighted that, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourism had recovered to 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2023.
He stated that the recovery was expected to continue, with Europe, Africa, and the Middle East showing strong performance.
Zambia aims to capitalise on this by reviewing legislation to create a more conducive environment for growth.
Sikumba also urged industry players to develop packages targeted at local tourists to encourage domestic travel to tourism sites.
“Local people should be able to visit tourism sites more often than they currently do,” he advised.
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He further stressed the importance of executing marketing strategies efficiently, regardless of budget limitations, and leveraging partnerships with the private sector to maximize impact.
Sikumba also pointed to the need to balance tourism marketing efforts with addressing national challenges like drought relief while ensuring good governance.
“The ministry is utilising social media, email campaigns, and targeted advertising, while focusing on high-impact trade shows such as the World Tourism Organization meeting in London, to foster collaborative relationships and amplify our reach,” he said.
Sikumba reiterated government’s target to reach 2 million tourist arrivals by the end of the year, boosted by initiatives in place and the momentum of Zambia’s 60th Independence celebrations.
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