President Hichilema Strengthens Tourism Sector Through Strategic Dialogue

President Hichilema held high-level meetings with Zambia’s key stakeholders in the tourism industry at State House. The meeting focused on strengthening intersectoral collaboration and paving the way for the country’s fast growing economic sector.

Led by renowned tourism investor Mr Mark O’Donnell, the group discussed strategies to enhance resilience and inclusivity in the sector, which welcomed over 2 million visitors in 2024 - a clear indication of the sector’s rising importance in Zambia’s broader economic transformation agenda.

“Tourism remains one of Zambia’s most important renewable resources and continues to register impressive growth,” said President Hichilema. “Its success, however, is inextricably linked with other sectors such as transport, hospitality, energy, and infrastructure.”

He emphasised the need for continued dialogue and cross-sectoral coordination, stating that unlocking tourism’s full potential requires a unified national vision and joint effort from both the public and private sectors.

“To advance the industry and maximize its economic impact, there must be shared responsibility and mutual support across all sectors,” he said. “This is how we build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism economy that contributes meaningfully to national development.”

The meeting shows the government’s commitment to positioning tourism as one of the four main pillars of Zambia’s economy, alongside mining, agriculture, and energy.

Stakeholders welcomed President Hichilema’s appeal for unity and affirmed their commitment to working closely with the government to attract investment, promote Zambia as an exceptional destination and ensure local communities benefit from the continued growth.