Zambia: Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga announced that government has announced funds to National Heritage Conservation Commission. The funds will help in infrastructure development and placement of signage at various sites across the country.
Muhanga states that the Ministry has also availed funds for the infrastructure development at the Mosi-oa-tunya-victoria falls world heritage site.
The permanent secretary made the announcement at the National Heritage Conservation Commission Media Breakfast Meeting. The Permanent Secretary said the efforts by government are aimed at diversifying the tourism products and increasing the length of stay of the visitors.
He added that the ablution facilities that are earmarked for the sites include showers meant to encourage those contemplating to have camping packages.
Muhanga noted that the unavailability of ablution facilities enabled investors who may have been longing to include some of the sites on their packages not to do so.
“We have a total of above four thousand (4,000) heritage sites in Zambia, out of which one hundred and five (105) are declared as national monuments, six (are on the tentative world heritage list and one (1) is designated as a world heritage site,” added Muhanga.
The PS stressed that Government views the resources as key nodes for economic growth, poverty alleviation and employment creation.
He further called on private sector to work with government in order for economic growth through heritage sites to become a reality.
“As we interact and share information on the diverse heritage resources of our country and the overabundance of opportunities they can support. I would urge you all to take an active role in this process, take advantage of the favorable national policies and makegame-changing decisions.
He asked the people to invest at one of the many heritage sites in the country,” he explained.
He further assured the public of government’s support with information and other requirements to facilitate their participation in sustainable development based on the heritage assets of Zambia.
Speaking at the same meeting, National Heritage Conservation Commission Board Chairperson, Irene Muyenga said tourism is the biggest creator of employment in the world hence the need to utilize its potential.
Muyenga indicated that the commission is determined to turn Zambia into a primary tourism destination.
She further thanked the Ministry of tourism for the support towards improving the infrastructure on the heritage sites.
The theme for the National conservation Commission breakfast meeting was Seize the Opportunity: Invest at Heritage Sites.
