HE wants to turn around the challenges facing the hotel and tourism sector into opportunities to fire up sustainable national economic development prosperity.
At the age of 26, Kapalasa Job Phiri is the chief executive officer of the Hotel and Catering Association of Zambia (HCAZ), a non-profit association which was established in 1964.
Mr Phiri has mooted a programme to unite the hotel and catering outfits in Zambia into one effective representative body.
He also wants to promote and foster cooperation between hotels and all similar businesses within and outside the association.
“I want to ensure that our members are encouraged to provide quality service and are kept abreast of the changing needs of the travelling public. This can be attained through stimulating fellowship among the members,” he said.

PHIRI

However, Mr Phiri knows that such ambitious undertakings will remain a lofty dream as long as human resources capacity in the sector are not developed to respond to changing times.
His vision revolves around making representation in the industry well supported by the local authorities and all stakeholders within and outside Zambia.
“In future, I want would like to ensure each province has a fully operational office. Of course currently we have full representation at provincial level but we would like to cement this by ensuring each province has an office.
He said he would also urge the government to quickly rectify the HCAZ bill to make it mandatory for all people in the industry to affiliate to.
“We believe the work we are doing now is impeccable and we would like everyone to be part and parcel and enjoy the benefits of being members” he said.
The main objective of HCAZ is to look into the interests of its members who comprise hotels, lodges, guest houses, restaurants, fast foods, conference and exhibition centers, casinos, tour operators, travel agents and many other tourism and hospitality-related businesses.
HCAZ lobbies government and other relevant institutions on behalf of its members.
“We also intervene on issues that negatively affect our members. Our organisation is a conduit through which information is disseminated to members such as changes in operational laws by Government and sharing issues of common interest that cut across all players in the industry,” he said.
Mr Phiri said he was working on compelling the government to consider the tourism sector as a priority in the development of the country.
He said the tourism sector can play an important role in improving the national development processes — especially in the generation of foreign exchange, employment creation and earning income for the country.
True to Mr Phiri’s observation, the tourism sector remains the second priority rating after agriculture because of its importance to the economic development of the country.
Mr Phiri says it is the duty of his association to compliment
government’s policy, which promotes a private sector-driven tourism to ensure that there was increased tourist arrivals into the country.
Investors will, no doubt, be attracted to the tourism sector if incentives are put in place something the HCAZ was ensuring becomes a reality.
Who is Kapalasa Job Phiri, the man who believes the tourism can act as a forex earner, offer employment and put Zambia on the world map.
Mr Phiri is a holder of a bachelors degree obtained from the University of Zambia in Public Administration and Library and information science (double major).
He has been inspired to excel in life by, among others, Jeremy Chibuye who has shared with him the value of patience to succeed in life through hard work.
“Mr Chibuye has become an elder brother to me and a great inspiration, while Mr Steven Mikalile has given me advise on business issues as he takes time off his busy schedule to meet me whenever I request which of course humbles me.”
Currently, Mr Phiri is pursuing a Masters degree in procurement logistics and supply chain management at the University of Lusaka.
Mr Phiri is also a proprietor of Kapalasa Investment group, a cluster of companies that he runs besides his job.
“We have three member companies of the group which are Kapalasa investments Ltd, Burger Boss and Kapalasa Finance, a growing company”.
God willing, he believes, the group of companies will spread its wings of operations and services to other towns.
Kapalasa Investment ltd specialises in general supply and commodity trading. With Burger Boss our concentration is food. This is another growing brand and chiefly wets the apetite of universities and colleges consumers through provision of affordable and filling meals for students.

PHIRI on graduation day with his younger brother Julius

Kapalasa Finance, a Micro financing company provides loans to students and upcoming entrepreneurs.
“We are currently in talks with our partners in the United Kingdom and once we conclude, we should be able to throw our net wider and provide loans to as many people as possible,” he quips, with a visible tinge of aplomb.
Mr Phiri has come a long way considering that he lost his father in 2003 when he was in grade 7, while his mother died in 2008 a day after his birthday when he was in grade 12.
The first business he did was chicken rearing with his best friend Mbewe Kalikeka. It enabled him to go through to high school and eventually university.
He mentioned several other people who have helped him to ran a business. Among notable names are businessmen like Phillimon Mukala, Hillary Muziya and Ellington Haruperi.
“I also draw a lot of inspiration from my uncle Mr Noel Nkoma. I would also like to thank my ‘mother’ Janet Bwalya Chileshe who made sure and still makes sure I am fine,” he said.
His vision 30 years from today is to put Zambia on the world map like Nigerian magnate Aliko Dangote has done.