By HELEN ZULU-
TOURISM is potentially one of Zambia’s best prospects for economic diversification and growth.
The sector has the potential to play an increasingly important role in stimulating economic growth by contributing to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, entrepreneurial development, infrastructural development, improvements to rural areas and communities and more.
There has been, however, so much emphasis on foreign tourists, for who most of the products are tailor-made, at the expense of the local ones who have seemingly been left out.
Zambia should promote domestic tourism as a first port of call before concerning itself with outsiders as this is a stepping stone in improving the economy.
An argument could be advanced as to why Africa should encourage and promote domestic tourism despite the fact that it will not generate among other things foreign exchange earnings as in the case of international tourism.
Tourism and arts deputy minister Lawrence Evans said there was need to place emphasis on promoting local tourism by getting the tour operators to come up with packages for Zambians.
Mr Evans says there are a lot of issues affecting the tourism sector which need to be addressed.
“There are a lot of issues that are affecting the tourism sector and need to be addressed. If you look at tourism sector, there are no packages for locals. I mean which family can afford to pay US$120 to do the bungee jump or a $150 to go on a boat cruise.
“So these are the things that we need to bring on the table with the tour operators so that we can promote local tourism because if people could afford to go bungee jumping, probably for a third of the prices or half the price, then we can boost local tourism, but as it is now, it is only being marketed for foreign tourists and the elite,” he says.
Mr Evans says globally, slightly over 50 per cent of tourists travel by air, while the rest travel by water and land. Therefore, the Link Zambia 8000 will help open up Zambia’s tourist spots.
“We have the Chimfushi Chimpanzee sanctuary and the fossilised areas in Chirundu; all these are areas where people need to get to. We should not focus our tourism on the Victoria Falls. As much as we may call it destination Victoria Falls, we need to open up Zambia as a whole.
“Can you imagine how many people would visit Lake Tanganyika if they can get there within a day without feeling stressed, how many people would enjoy sailing on the crystal blue waters of Lake Tanganyika, while they roast a bream on open fires? I think we will end up having a lot of people visiting Zambia,” he said.
United Nation World Tourism Organisations (UNWTO) general secretary Taleb Rifai said although domestic tourism does not contribute to the foreign currency earnings of respective countries it helps in many other economic activities.
Mr Rifai says statistics have shown that domestic tourism is the mainstay of economic activities in most countries in Africa.
“Domestic tourism helps in generating employment and growth of infrastructure, Domestic tourists, those travelling within their country borders, were around five billion in 2012.
“Although domestic tourism does not contribute to the foreign currency earnings of respective countries it helps in many other economic activities.” he says.
According to Dr Rifai local people should feel the impact of tourism in their respective countries saying domestic tourism is a requirement for success in attracting foreign tourists.
“A successful domestic tourism sector is a prerequisite for success in attracting foreign tourists. Domestic tourism delivers many benefits to the economy and communities across the country.
“The expenditure people make on domestic travel is retained within the country’s economy and buffers businesses and communities from the vagaries of the global economy,” he says.
Domestic tourism is a potential and sustainable contributor to the quality of life of resident populations, if it is carefully planned and properly delivered.
Tourism and indeed domestic tourism, impacts positively on value chain and general trade cycle of any economy thereby promoting other industries through supply of goods and services.
It also promotes culture, friendship, peace, and appreciation of our cultural heritage as a nation.
The opportunities it offers to citizens should be realised to the fullest extent.
It therefore provides the much-needed and talked about job creation.
If properly natured, it can create economic empowerment of the people and not just bystanders in the unfolding economic story of Zambia.
Domestic tourism through the opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices that domestic travellers can bring, residents potentially develop stronger interest in promoting ethnic, racial and religious tolerance; deeper appreciation of the country’s natural and cultural diversity; and greater awareness of the achievements of national institutions.
Reasons for encouraging and promoting domestic tourism vary from enabling residents who have growing disposable incomes and their leisure time to participate in productive and satisfying experiences to re-distributing wealth within the nation’s boundaries.
For one to travel, one needs time, money and the motivation to travel. Domestic tourism readily offers this great opportunity for one to learn and appreciate his or her country.
Great nations are built on people that are knowledgeable and appreciative of what their country offers.
Union Gold chairperson Mark O’Donnell says domestic tourism provides a import source of revenue for the hospitality business.
Mr O’Donnell says by offering Zambian travellers a quality product in a number of locations around the country; it makes an important contribution to development in Zambia.
Domestic tourism is vital to the health of the industry.
One of the keys to the industry’s growth, and regional economic well-being, is unlocking the opportunities that Tourism 2025, anddomestic travel can bring to the table, and the benefits it offers to its citizenry.