Zambia and Zanzibar focus on tourism investment and local economic impact

In Zambia, Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga is pushing for strategic partnerships with media and content creators to help reach a target of five million international tourists. Muhanga emphasized that journalists should provide practical, detailed information regarding accessibility, costs, and activities to convert interest into actual bookings. He also highlighted the need for increased investment in accommodation and infrastructure, noting that limited bed capacity in areas like South Luangwa remains a challenge. The government aims to develop interconnected tourism circuits across all ten provinces to move beyond traditional hubs like Livingstone.

Meanwhile, in Zanzibar, President Hussein Mwinyi has called on tourism investors to prioritize local employment and business opportunities. Following a 24.5 percent increase in tourist arrivals in 2025, Mwinyi stressed that new projects must benefit local communities directly. He cited the inauguration of the Joud by the Sea Hotel, where 85 of the 90 new jobs were filled by local residents, as a model for future investments intended to drive economic growth through the tourism sector.