Zambia: Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba has called for the speedy implementation of the Zambia Green, Resilient and Transformative Tourism Development Project in order to enhance sustainable growth in the tourism sector.
Sikumba says the quick implementation of the ambitious World Bank (WB) tourism development project will spur and rejuvenate the country’s tourism sector.
He was speaking during the Green Resilient and Transformational Tourism Development Project (GREAT-TDP) WB implementation mission meeting in Lusaka on Monday.
The Tourism Minister added that the five-day tourism development project meeting with the World Bank team aims to fortify an enabling environment, bolster access to resilient infrastructure and cultivate economic opportunities in emerging tourism destinations.
He explained that the project encompasses three vital components: the enabling environment for a nature-based economy, improving climate-resilient destinations, and project administration and management.
Mr Sikumba noted that the project seeks to revolutionise tourism in emerging destinations of the country.
He further thanked the World Bank for its continued collaboration and support of Zambia in many economic areas.
Sikumba has since called for a multi-sectoral approach from line Ministries and other stakeholders to propel tourism development in the country through the project.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga said the meeting has a collective commitment to implement the tourism development project and make 2024 a year of significant progress.
He mentioned the journey of the tourism development project, which began in 2023 and was marked by the identification and preparation of an effective project initiation.
Early this year, the World Bank provided the Zambian government with a credit of US$100 million for a green, resilient, and transformational tourism development project.
The meeting currently underway in Lusaka will devise and discuss how best to implement the project.