Lusaka, May 31 (IANS) Zambia, home to the spectacular Victoria Falls, expects to earn about $412 million this year from tourism, President Rupiah Banda has said.
Banda said the prospect for growth of the tourism industry was immensely high and the country would meet the target of four million international tourists every year by 2015, the Zambia Daily Mail reported.
‘This country has a massive outlay of natural wonders to offer to the world, and there are armies of tourists visiting and trying to visit Zambia, which means business opportunities are already guaranteed,’ Banda said.
‘My government has taken a number of steps to make citizens’ empowerment a reality, and we also have promoted the concept of public partnership ventures,’ he said.
The president asked authorities to work ‘extra hard’ to promote the tourism and hospitality sectors as viable investment arenas that could generate profit and create jobs.
He said the country was blessed with many tourist attractions, including 19 national parks, 36 game management areas, and more than 20 magnificent waterfalls, including the majestic Victoria Falls.
Zambia currently earns about $200 million from the tourism sector that gives employment to around 25,000 people.
