SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
GOVERNMENT has warned underperforming tourism attaches in missions abroad that they risk being recalled.
Tourism and Arts Minister Ronald Chitotela said he would soon recommend for the replacement of tourism attaches in missions abroad that were not producing desired results.
According to a statement released by first secretary press and tourism at the Zambian mission in India, Bangwe Naviley, the minister was speaking when he addressed Zambian envoys at the Zambian Mission in New Delhi, India.
Mr Chitotela said President Edgar Lungu put premium on tourism as one of the five priority areas which called for greater efforts especially by those in foreign missions.
He said Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) must also step up efforts to distribute tourism promotional materials as they risked being shaken up.
Mr Chitotela however, noted with pleasure that the month of July recorded 127 tourists with a further 96 travelling to Zambia from India in the last week of August.
He has praised Zambia High Commission in India for recording 500 tourists from that country in the year 2018.
And Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga said over 500 over Zambians travelled to India mainly for medical and conference tourism.
Ms Kapijimpanga said the mission was delighted to have received 14 Zambia National Dance Troupe cultural artists who were in India for 17 days in February this year fully sponsored by the Government of India.
She Zambia could be marketed if only air tickets could be bought for artists because most tourism event organizers in India provided courtesies such as food, accommodation and local air transport.
She said the Mission had stepped up efforts to woo more tourists and investment as tourism was one of the top five priority sectors in Zambia.
