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Lubinda urges Zambians to market the country abroad

Lubinda urges Zambians to market the country abroad
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 05 Apr. 2012, 13:53 CAT

FOREIGN affairs and tourism minister Given Lubinda has urged civil servants who travel out of the country on taxpayers' money to help market the country's tourism abroad. And Lubinda has appealed to the players in the hotel industry to be sensitive to the tourism seasons of the country before settling for any rates.

During the Zambia International Travel Expo 2012 briefing at Cresta Golfview hotel in Lusaka yesterday, Lubinda said every citizen who leaves the country on taxpayers' money should be an ambassador.

"I urge especially the civil servants who travel out of the country on taxpayers' account to be visiting the Zambia Tourism Board before going, to collect brochures which they can distribute wherever they are going," he said.

And Lubinda said Zambia's cost of accommodation was high as compared to other countries such as Zimbabwe.

He further said the theme for this year's Expo which is ‘Unlocking Zambia's eco-tourism and domestic potential to realise sustainability for local communities", would encourage responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment and improve the well-being of local people.

He said the theme also recognises the role domestic tourism could play in the development of tourism in Zambia.

"Domestic tourism is the mainstay of tourism development of most developed tourism destinations in the world and government, being alive to this fact, is working to ensure that the development of our tourism industry gives ample time and attention to stimulating the locals' awareness of the tourism products, and encouraging them to visit touristic areas," said Lubinda.

Labels: GIVEN LUBINDA, TOURISM

posted by MrK @ 3:27 PM