By BRIAN HATYOKA –

TOURISM and Arts Deputy Minister Lawrence Evans has expressed disappointment at the low turnout of operators in Livingstone during the just ended Institute of Hospitality Zambia Annual General Congress.

The Congress was held last weekend at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone under the theme “after the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly: Managing Sustainable Tourism Enterprises in Zambia”.

Mr Evans said he was disappointed that many operators and other stakeholders in Livingstone hospitality industry did not attend the meeting.

He said the Congress was an important annual gathering especially after Livingstone successfully co-hosted the UNWTO General Assembly in August 2013 but that sadly many local operators shunned it.

“I was disappointed at the low turnout of people who were supposed to attend the Institute of Hospitality Zambia Annual General Congress. I hope next time we will be more organised and have more Livingstonians coming to attend such important meetings,” Mr Evans said.

During official opening of the Congress on Friday, Mr Evans expressed concern at the inadequate training being offered by some tourism training institutions.

He said the poor training in the sector was contributing to the poor
service delivery in the tourism industry.

Mr Evans said there was need for the private sector to partner with the Government in training and enhancing compliance to international standards.

He said that the Government would this year begin the process of developing and enforcing the minimum requirements and standards in the industry.