Growing tourism flows vital

TOURISM is one of Zambia’s key sectors for economic growth which the government has selected out of other sectors as priority areas for growth and poverty reduction.
In 2012, United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) World Tourism suggested that Zambia had recorded increased tourism arrivals.
Last year, Zambia recorded unprecedented increase in air traffic with Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) recording one million passengers.
This is the first time that KKIA is recording over a million passengers since establishment in 1967.
This is a milestone achievement, which shows that Zambia can continue growing its tourist flows and create employment from this key sector of the economy.
Last month, National Airports Corporation (NACL) announced that the airport recorded 997,000 passengers in 2012 but now the figure has surpassed one million passengers.
This is a good development which shows that the country has the potential to attract more tourists and increase its revenue and foreign currency earnings.
This is why we welcome the announcement that NACL and an American firm are in talks with a view of upgrading Mfuwe Airport.
This could go a long way in enhancing the flow of tourists and ensure that Zambia increases earnings from the sector and create more jobs.
The Mfuwe National Park has potential to attract a lot of tourists to enhance collection of revenue for development of various projects.
Whilst all airports recorded positive growth in the domestic sector, only Mfuwe’s performance declined, which is why it  is important to upgrade it so that it can also increase the flow of passengers.
Tourism is one of the largest and dynamically developing sectors of external economic activities.
Its high growth and development rates, considerable volumes of foreign currency inflows actively affect various sectors of economy, which positively contributes to the development of Zambia’s economy.
This is why we hope that the talks between NACL and the US will be fruitful so that Mfuwe Airport can be upgraded to attract more tourists.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy and developing countries are attempting to cash in on this expanding industry in an attempt to boost foreign investment and financial reserves.
Zambia should not lag behind and there is need to redouble our efforts in improving infrastructure and market the country more aggressively.
Tourism creates employment and if well marketed it has the potential to lift thousands of people out of unemployment which has been a challenge in Zambia for many years.
Improving the sector will also enhance Zambia’s efforts to diversify the country’s economy from over dependence on copper mining.
Mining brings in 80 percent of our foreign currency earnings and yet only contributes less than 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product.
With the government’s plan to create a national airline and added improvements to infrastructure, growth will be enhanced.
Once growth increases this means more people will be employed and this will go a long way in reducing poverty in line with the PF government’s promises.