ZAMBIA TAKES HER SEAT AT UNWTO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
ZAMBIA has made her first appearance in 35 years at the UNWTO Executive Council held on the side-lines of the UNWTO General Assembly at PLAZA MAYOR in the Colombian city of Medellin.
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa led the Zambian team that included Zambia’s Ambassador to France Humphrey Chibanda, Zambia Tourism Board Managing Director Felix Chaila and Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts Ambassador Albert Mushanga.
A place on the Executive Council enables Zambia to add her voice on various matters brought forward by subsidiary organs such as programs and budgets, tourism and sustainability, tourism and competitiveness, statistics and the tourism satellite account as well as the review of applications for affiliate membership.
Addressing the Zambian delegation shortly after the close of the General Assembly, Mr. Mwansa says Zambia takes its new position on the Executive Council seriously and will use it to enhance Zambia’s image as a leading tourism destination.
In a media release obtained from Zambia Tourism Board Public Relations Manager Caristo Chitamfya Mr. Mwansa says the showcasing of Zambia’s new promotion video to the entire General Assembly was a clear demonstration of the country’s resolve to market the country aggressively.
He says Zambia will take immediate follow-up actions on all key issues discussed at the General Assembly such as the need for UNWTO member countries to prioritize Air connectivity, the development of a tourism export strategy and, meeting financial and statutory obligations, among others.
Mr. Mwansa says as a new member of the Executive Council, Zambia cannot afford to be behind on any statutory or financial obligations to the UNWTO.Meanwhile, Mr. Mwansa has revealed that plans are underway to twin the City of Livingstone with the Colombian City of Medellin.
He says the twinning will go beyond traditional tourism activities that will include the acquisition of best practices in shopping tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) as well as community tourism.
Mr. says his Ministry will immediately engage the Local Government and Housing Ministry with a view to sending a team of Civic Leaders to Medellin to share insights on the role of municipalities in the promotion of tourism as Medellin offers some of the best practices.
Once known for being the stronghold of drug cartels, the city of Medellin has seen one of the most remarkable urban turn-arounds in modern history and has been voted the world’s most innovative city by the Wall Street Journal and Citi Bank.
Tourism is Colombia’s second highest foreign exchange earner accounting for more than Sixty percent 60 percent of the country’s exports and services, generating one in every eight jobs, with a projection of 300,000 new jobs and a six billion dollar income by 2018.
Zambia was elected into the UNWTO Executive Council on 12 September 2015 at the Fifty-Seventh meeting of the Commission for Africa held in Medellin, Colombia.
Despite joining the tourism world body way back in 1975, Zambia had until now, remained only a committee member.
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa led the Zambian team that included Zambia’s Ambassador to France Humphrey Chibanda, Zambia Tourism Board Managing Director Felix Chaila and Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Arts Ambassador Albert Mushanga.
A place on the Executive Council enables Zambia to add her voice on various matters brought forward by subsidiary organs such as programs and budgets, tourism and sustainability, tourism and competitiveness, statistics and the tourism satellite account as well as the review of applications for affiliate membership.
Addressing the Zambian delegation shortly after the close of the General Assembly, Mr. Mwansa says Zambia takes its new position on the Executive Council seriously and will use it to enhance Zambia’s image as a leading tourism destination.
In a media release obtained from Zambia Tourism Board Public Relations Manager Caristo Chitamfya Mr. Mwansa says the showcasing of Zambia’s new promotion video to the entire General Assembly was a clear demonstration of the country’s resolve to market the country aggressively.
He says Zambia will take immediate follow-up actions on all key issues discussed at the General Assembly such as the need for UNWTO member countries to prioritize Air connectivity, the development of a tourism export strategy and, meeting financial and statutory obligations, among others.
Mr. Mwansa says as a new member of the Executive Council, Zambia cannot afford to be behind on any statutory or financial obligations to the UNWTO.Meanwhile, Mr. Mwansa has revealed that plans are underway to twin the City of Livingstone with the Colombian City of Medellin.
He says the twinning will go beyond traditional tourism activities that will include the acquisition of best practices in shopping tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) as well as community tourism.
Mr. says his Ministry will immediately engage the Local Government and Housing Ministry with a view to sending a team of Civic Leaders to Medellin to share insights on the role of municipalities in the promotion of tourism as Medellin offers some of the best practices.
Once known for being the stronghold of drug cartels, the city of Medellin has seen one of the most remarkable urban turn-arounds in modern history and has been voted the world’s most innovative city by the Wall Street Journal and Citi Bank.
Tourism is Colombia’s second highest foreign exchange earner accounting for more than Sixty percent 60 percent of the country’s exports and services, generating one in every eight jobs, with a projection of 300,000 new jobs and a six billion dollar income by 2018.
Zambia was elected into the UNWTO Executive Council on 12 September 2015 at the Fifty-Seventh meeting of the Commission for Africa held in Medellin, Colombia.
Despite joining the tourism world body way back in 1975, Zambia had until now, remained only a committee member.