In a bid to bolster its tourism sector, the Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) is setting its sights on strengthening cooperation with China. Tecla Zondiwe-Ngwenya, Treasurer of the TCZ, emphasized the council’s keen interest in tapping into the vast Chinese market to elevate Zambia’s tourism prospects. Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, Zondiwe-Ngwenya underscored the significance of the Chinese market, expressing admiration and respect for its potential.
Zondiwe-Ngwenya extended a warm invitation to Chinese tourists to explore Zambia’s diverse tourist attractions while also encouraging investment in untapped areas within the country’s tourism landscape. Highlighting the Zambian government’s decision to include China in the visa waiver initiative, she emphasized the strategic importance of fostering bilateral ties to drive tourism growth. Plans to introduce direct flights between the two nations are poised to further catalyze tourism and trade cooperation.
Victor Inambwae, Chief Executive Officer of the TCZ, commended the amicable collaboration between Zambia and China across various sectors, particularly in cultural exchanges and tourism. The recent launch of the 2024 Zambia-China Culture and Tourism Year in China showcased Zambia’s rich cultural heritage and provided a platform for promoting Zambian tourism to a wide audience of industry professionals from both nations.
Inambwae lauded China’s pivotal role in supporting Zambia’s tourism, citing projects such as the construction of the TAZARA Memorial Park in Chongwe district as a testament to China’s contributions in attracting international tourists. Stephen Mwansa, a service-level consultant at TCZ, emphasized the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation in the tourism sector. Mwansa noted Zambia’s abundance of tourist sites awaiting development and highlighted China’s potential to facilitate investments and promote Zambia’s tourism resources.
With both countries poised to reap rewards from deeper collaboration in tourism, Zambia looks towards China as a key partner in unlocking the full potential of its vibrant tourism industry. As infrastructure projects continue to flourish and cultural exchanges flourish, the future holds promising prospects for a flourishing partnership between Zambia and China in the realm of tourism.
