BWALYA NONDO, Lusaka

WHEN the pangs of COVID-19 peaked to the apex, the performance of the tourism sector shook of course. Prospects of the sector contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP) by a significant margin became dim. Although the COVID pandemic has now eased its grip, the tourism industry is still reeling from the effects wrought by the lethal disease. However, determined to make tourism a panacea to unlock economic fortunes, the new dawn administration is, in addition to introducing some relief measures to make the industry rebound, embracing innovation to navigate ashore. Tourism has been identified as one of the key sectors to drive the economic transformative agenda to boost socio-economic development in the country. This is seen in Government’s tenacious efforts in tilting the spotlight on product diversification and promotion of domestic tourism as spelt out in the Tourism Master Plan and the United Party for National Development (UPND) manifesto, to make the sector maximise economic gains. Private sector participation remains key in CLICK TO READ MORE