BRING BUSINESS TO TOURISM CAPITAL - TOURISM BODY
ORGANISATIONS in Zambia and beyond scheduled to hold their annual gatherings should start planning for such events in the tourist capital, the Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) has advised. Following Government’s decision to re-open all the international airports, LTA chairman Rodney Sikumba said organisations should start making arrangements so that the LTA could also prepare for excellent services. He said professional and other gatherings usually boost tourism activities in Livingstone. Mr Sikumba said that all those who were supposed to hold their meetings should take such events to Livingstone. He said that this was one of the ways in which the city would maintain its economic status as a tourist capital. “We in the Livingstone Tourism Association welcome the statement by President Edgar Lungu to re-open the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Mfuwe and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airports “We have been in talks with our line Ministry of Tourism and Arts to see how best we can open up domestic flights within Zambia and also see how we can have few chartered flights flying into and out of our airports,” he said. Mr Sikumbain an interview that the opening of the airports was significant because the tourism sector needed to thrive. “Our hotels, lodges and guest houses are open but what is key is that we want to reach out to the clubs, associations and institutions like lawyers, engineers, accountants, marketers, purchasing and supply and many others to see how best they can now plan to have their meetings here. “For those planning to come to Livingstone, please feel free to come, we have a long weekend coming up...what is also important is our operators within have reduced the prices for all tourism activities such as boat cruises, accommodation and many others,” he said. Mr Sikumba said that already, some big hotels were fully booked, covering the entire long weekend.