Travel in Zambia

Zambia plans national airline to boost tourism

The Ministry of Tourism and Arts confirmed that it is considering the re-establishment of a national airline to help boost the country's booming tourism industry. It has received interest from potential partners in Europe, the US, Africa and the Middle East. It is planned that the proposed new national carrier would fly locally and to neighbouring countries, as well as to one or two longer haul routes including London. The re-establishment of the national airline would help further increase trade in terms of imports and exports. It would also complement the Link Zambia 8,000 Road Development project in promoting easy access to the various tourism destinations and products that Zambia is famed for, such as its 20 wildlife parks, heritage sites, water bodies and the mighty Victoria Falls.

Zambia’s government aims to encourage domestic tourism

The Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) has officially launched a campaign dubbed ‘Green season domestic tourism’, aimed at encouraging Zambians to take a holiday. The Green season domestic tourism campaign aims to introduce a period for local tourists to take holidays in the lodges and hotels usually frequented by foreign tourists. So far, the result from private companies has been overwhelming in terms of reducing their prices for lodges and hotels.

New visa system to boost Zambia’s tourism

Since December 2014, a new uni-visa system has been in place at Zambian/Zimbabwean borders, meaning that visitors to both countries require just one visa. This applies to all 40 countries that currently require a visa for either country. The new visa system has developed due to an increasing number of joint ventures between Zambia and Zimbabwe that have looked to improve the lives of citizens in both countries, as well as the new open border policy that exists between the two countries.

Zambian government wants to attract investment and business travellers

Zambia’s tourism industry will become more competitive following the removal of the visa requirements for all nationals of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) who enter the country for official business. Zambia will now compete with countries such as Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, where visas are not required. This is very important as it will now be easier to visit Zambia as the barriers to entry have been removed. Zambia has lots to offer in terms of business and conferences, as well as ecotourism.

New airlines and routes attract new tourists and business

Public investment and public initiatives, stable economic growth and the potential of Zambia’s tourism industry has attracted the attention of several airlines. The government has started the implementation of the US$31.0 billion project Link Zambia 8000, which will develop 8,000 km of road infrastructure and create an internal network. The launch of a domestic tourism campaign in 2014 by the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) has contributed to the performance of the industry through increased local participation. As a result, airlines are showing interest in providing new investments. For example, Fastjet plans to invest US$15 million in Zambia and new airlines such as Rwandair and Flyafrica plan to expand their businesses into Zambia and other African countries.

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