OLIVER SAMBOKO
DOMESTIC tourism is the best way to keep the sector afloat in the face of a new covid variant which has resulted in reduced tourists’ arrivals due to travel restrictions imposed by major economies, tourism specialist, Rose Musonda has said.
Ms Musonda said in an interview that the country should revamp domestic tourism so that it could significantly contribute to the country’s economy and creation of the much needed jobs for the youths.
She said the government should come up with measures to promote domestic tourism, because it is unsure if the Covid-19 fight will be won any time soon.
Ms Musonda said although the country depends mainly on international visitors for its tourism earning, it’s important for the country to come up with a plan B that will ensure jobs in the sector are not lost.
She said failure to come up with a plan B, there is a high risk that hotels will start closing down like was the case in 2019 and 2020, when the tourism industry was brought to its knees,
Ms Musonda said while the sector has not yet been affected much by the Omicron variant, and still remain vibrant, care must be taken so that tourism can continue generating more income for the country to boost the economy and ensure that the community benefits.
She also advised the government to ensure that the relaunch of Zambia Airways benefits the promotion of tourism in the country by ensuring that aerodromes are constructed in all tour sites.
Ms Musonda observed that air transport to tourist destinations remains the biggest challenge for the country which has resulted in tourists shunning Zambia for other countries.
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