By JAMES KUNDA –
ZAMBIA has been elected to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Executive Council, ending three decades of non-representation in the organisation’s most powerful organ.

. Kapata

The election took place during the 57th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa in Medellin, Colombia, where the country was represented by Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata and her Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa.
Other countries elected to the organ were Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Morocco and Mozambique, on a rotational basis.
This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday by first secretary for tourism and Zambia’s liaison officer to the UNWTO, Percy Ngwira.
“Zambia’s election to the UNWTO Executive Council means that the country will now have a unique opportunity to have a say in the selection of candidates for the next UNWTO secretary general and a greater voice in the development of tourism in the world,” Mr Ngwira said.
He said the election would also facilitate for the country’s technical assistance from the UNWTO providing a stronger voice in planning activities for the organisation, including its budget.
Mr Ngwira said the country had also won an opportunity for priority consideration for training officials from Zambia through scholarships.
“Zambians will also be given priority consideration for UNTWO job opportunities and this will improve the country’s image building with international organisations and tourism promotion,” he said.