Zambian mission steps up tourism drive in Turkey

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu’s administration rates tourism highly as an engine for economic growth hence the need to turn the sector into a wealth-spinner for the nation, Charge d’ Affaires of Zambia in Turkey Bwalya Nondo has said.

Mr. Nondo asserted that the Zambian embassy in Turkey was eager to contribute towards attaining the projected one million or more tourist-inflows into Zambia, which would go a long way to boost economic development and job creation.

He said the Zambian mission has partnered with Turkey Travel Agencies Association to raise the bar of Zambia’s profile as a tourism destination of choice.

Mr Nondo said he was confident that tourist inflows into Zambia from Turkey and surrounding regions would increase sharply given Zambia’s indisputable tourism gem, coupled with political stability and peace.

“During these tourism promotion events, we will make keynote addresses besides making presentations and video shows depicting our tourism tions.

“The range of the audiences will include Turkish Airlines, travel agencies, hoteliers, tour operators, academia and the general public,” s Mr Nondo said.

Mr Nondo said the Zambian mission would take advantage of these tourism promotion events to reiterate the need for a direct flight by Turkish Airlines between Zambia and Turkey as attrac- this was a key catalyst to promotion of tourism.

He said the mission has lined up tourism promotion events in Turkey’s key cities of Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir.

“Through this initiative, we are confident that Zambia’s pristine tourism attractions which include the Victoria Falls and our wildlife and cultural ceremonies, will attract more tourists from Turkey,” Mr Nondo said.