By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –

THE United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has praised the Zambian Government for continued efforts to develop the tourism sector.
This was said during a meeting between Zambia’s Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa and UNWTO executive director for programme and coordination Zoltán Somogyi on the sidelines of the ongoing 35th edition of Fitur Spanish annual International Tourism Fair.
Mr Mwansa met with Mr Somogyi to discuss among other tourism issues, Zambia’s desire to get into the UNWTO executive council which is body’s governing board, responsible for ensuring it carries out its work and adheres to budgetary requirements.
Mr Mwansa informed Mr Somogyi that Zambia was last a member of the UNWTO executive council in 1980 when the country’s tourism was viewed as a social sector and since then government has reclassified tourism to be an economic sector.
The sector had now been placed third after mining and agriculture among the most important sectors in the country that would help in the overall economic development of the country.
Mr Somogyi said the UNWTO had been following with keen interest, how Zambia was developing its tourism sector and as witnessed during the preparation and successful co-hosting of the 20th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in 2013 with neighbouring Zimbabwe.
“There is no doubt that the Government has recognised the importance of tourism and the benefits the sector can contribute to the economic development of the country,” Mr Somogyi said.
Mr Somogyi said he was witness to Zambia’s strides in developing the tourism industry as seen during his visit in Zambia ahead of hosting the General Assembly.
“I can assure you that UNWTO stands with you and will offer you the support that you need in the development of the sector” he said.
He praised Mr Mwansa for making a decision to bid to be elected to the executive council as this would contribute immensely to the business of the organ towards the development of tourism in the world.