Dialogue key to tourism regulation – expert

Wed, 10 May 2017 10:17:43 +0000

By MAILESI BANDA

THERE is need for Government to consult key stakeholders in the formulation of policies that regulate the tourism sector for it to effectively contribute to national development, Tourism Council of Zambia board treasurer Patrick Mwanza has said.

Mr. Mwanza said tourism development could only be achieved with the support of the Government, adding that this included inputs from other ministries and statutory bodies with each playing their role.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation, he said while the tourism sector needed regulation there was need for the stakeholders to be involved at the various levels of policy formulation.

“To effectively regulate the tourism sector there is need to engage key stakeholders in the consultative process for an effective and acceptable regulatory framework, and it is only when this is effectively done that we will be able to have a better tourism industry,’’ he said.

He said this would reduce distortions in the running of the sector and would contribute to the growth of the economy.

He lamented that the real challenge was the ability of the State and the private sector to engage effectively on the basis of well informed decisions and dialogue.

He said dialogue and making informed decisions by both the State and the private sector would lead to the securing of new policy changes and make the environment effective for the growth of the tourism sector.

He said the tourism industry had the potential to contribute to the improvement of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).