By JULIUS PHIRI –
ZAMBIA Tourism Board (ZTB) managing director Felix Chaila has said tourists from Australia and New Zealand are among the few that visit Zambia and take longer holidays.
ZTB has, therefore, embarked on tourism road shows targeting Australia and New Zealand due to the important and lucrative market those countries present.
Mr Chaila indicated at the Zambia High Commission in Canberra Australia that the aim of the road shows was to market and increase awareness among Australians and New Zealanders about tourism in Zambia.
He said it was interesting and impressive to know of tour operators who had first-hand tourism information about Zambia.
It has been noted that only about 20 per cent of Australians and New Zealanders knew something about Zambia and visited it at some point.
Mr Chaila said the observation was confirmed in a statement by Mr Alick Banda who is First Secretary at Zambia High Commission in Australia.
He added that as tourism board, their task was to disburse vital information and expose the tour operators to issues about Zambia and invite them on familiarisation tours.
“The Zambia High Commission in Canberra, Australia just like other Missions is critical as a focal point in selling Zambia to Australia and New Zealand, the Board will collaborate with the Mission to have effective ways of marketing Zambia,” Mr Chaila said.
He said the mission should reinforce its sensitisation to the Diaspora who should also help in mobilising the market for destination Zambia.
He noted that tourists were looking for a safe, peaceful and interesting place for tourism in the world and Zambia was among few countries in the world with that offer.
Meanwhile, Zambia High Commissioner to Australia George Zulu said the mission will work closely with the ZTB in marketing Zambia to Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Zulu said to a large extent, the future of tourism lies in the Asian region where most times tourists travel in large numbers.
“Unlike most other countries in the world, the wild life in Zambia is in its original and natural form without being domesticated or garden-nurtured, “Mr Zulu stated.