Zambia moots plan to reclaim Victoria Falls
WE have embarked on reclaiming the Victoria Falls as Zambia’s tourism destination through robust marketing, Minister of Tourism and Arts Charles Banda has said.
Dr Banda said for some time now some countries had been marketing the Victoria Falls to their advantage to attract tourists by claiming it was found in their countries when not. He said through a robust marketing and holding of strategic events such as the Mosi day of thunder, would help reclaim the 7th world wonder back to Zambia. Dr Banda said claims that the Victoria Falls was in South Africa, for instance, were robbing Zambia of millions in tourism revenue. He said this yesterday on the sidelines of the launch of the strategic Rhino Conservation and management plan 20192023 and the Cheetah and Wild Dog National Action Plan in Lusaka. “We have other country using the Victoria Falls as their tourism destination when in fact it does not located in those countries. is was preventing the country from reaping the intended,” said Dr Banda. Meanwhile, Dr Banda said the strategic plan would help Government provide clear principles and best practices in managing all Rhino, cheetah and wild dogs population in the country. And World wide Fund for Nature country Director Nachilala Nkombo reiterated that the population of the rhino, cheetah and the wild dogs in the country would only be restored if there was enhanced collaboration between government, communities and tourism stakeholders. She called on government to increase sustainable nancing for wildlife conservation in the country so as to improve restore the status of the cheetah and the wild dog. And German Ambassador to Zambia Achim Burkart called on Government not to be complacent with just launching the plan but endeavour to implement the action so as to reap viable results.