‘Covid-19 second wave to bite tourism hard’

THE second wave of Covid-19 will result in Mass job losses in the tourism and hospitality industry following the reduction in tourist arrivals in Northern Tourism Circuit, Regional Tourism Development Coordinator Francis Chiwele has said.

Mr Chiwele said international tourists arrivals had completely cut off due to lockdowns in many countries.

Mr Chiwele said domestic tourism arrivals has equally been affected as the second wave of Covid-19 had discouraged movements.

He said the resource envelop is badly affected and that people have less to spend.

Mr Chiwele said the second wave of Covid-19 has impacted negatively on the tourism sector in Northern Tourism circuit and may result in job losses.

"Covid-19 is a real threat to Zambia’s tourism sector and there is a high risk that many firms will shut down and disappear, undermining any ultimate economic recovery when international travel resumes. Zambia’s travel and tourism industry, which had shown signs of healthy growth in recent years, is now being negatively impacted significantly by the Covid-19 pandemic," Mr Chiwele said.

He said the Tourism and Hospitality Act No. 13 of 2015, the country has seen considerable political will igniting the ZTMP whose speedy implementation unfortunately has been hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Chiwele said the situation is likely to double or worsen in the face of Covid-19.

Mr Chiwele said Government was engaging with the tourism sector players with a view of addressing some of the longstanding challenges and more recent pressing challenges.

Mr Chiwele said with the current crisis, many employers in the private sector argue that the new employment code enacted on the 10th of May 2019, and which came into force on the 10th of May 2020, inhibits the creation of jobs.