Tourism in Zambia relates to tourism in the African nation Zambia. The tourism industry is a major and growing industry in Zambia. Zambia has more than 2500 lions along with several National parks, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and historic monuments. Zambia has been involved in several agreements on tourism with nations like Uganda and Kenya. Uganda Ministry of Tourism and Arts said Zambia is a model in tourism in Africa. Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) has partnered with the Government through the Ministry of Tourism and private sector to enhance the marketing aspect in the tourism industry.[1][2][3][4][5]

Overview

edit

Zambia's tourism industry is one of the country's growth potential areas. It has been given the non-traditional export status and is receiving a lot of support from the Government by way of infrastructure development, promotion of increased private sector participation, as well as attractive tax incentives for all investments in the sector.[6]

Hunting is also an important part of the Zambian tourist industry. Though the country banned all hunting in January 2013 amid concerns of corruption and over hunting of certain species, it legalized hunting again for most species of plains game in 2014. Additionally, the Zambian Tourism Minister announced that leopards may be legally hunted starting in 2015 and lions may be hunted again beginning in 2016.[7]

Tourist Attractions

edit
Major and Popular Tourist Attractions including their Locations
Name of Attraction Location Closest Airport Note(s)
Victoria Falls Livingstone, Southern Province Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya
Lake Kariba Southern Province Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport World's second largest man-made Reservoir at 5,580 square kilometres
Livingstone Crocodile Park Livingstone, Southern Province Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport [8]
Livingstone Museum Livingstone, Southern Province Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport [9] Country's oldest museum and holds letters & journals of David Livingstone
Siavonga Siavonga, Southern Province Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport [10]
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Southern Province Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport
Kalambo Falls Luapula Province Mansa Airport [11][12]
Lake Bangweulu Luapula Province Mansa Airport
Lumangwe Falls Luapula and Northern Provinces Mansa Airport Largest waterfall wholly within the country, with a height of 30–40 m and a width of 100–160 m
Mumbuluma Falls Luapula Province Mansa Airport
Musonda Falls Luapula Province Mansa Airport
Mweru Wantipa National Park Luapula and Northern Provinces Mansa Airport
Ntumbachushi Falls Luapula Province Mansa Airport Cascading Waterfall and pools stretching 2 km above 2 parallel, 10m wide, 30m deep main falls
Samfya Beach Samfya, Luapula Province Mansa Airport [13] Dozens of kilometers of White Sand Beach
Chilambwe Falls Northern Province Kasama Airport [14]
Chishimba Falls Kasama, Northern Province Kasama Airport
Isangano National Park Northern Province Kasama Airport Found in the Bangweulu Wetlands
Kabwelume Falls Northern Province Kasama Airport
Lavushi Manda National Park Northern Province Kasama Airport Found in the Bangweulu Wetlands
Moto Moto Museum Mbala, Northern Province Kasama Airport
Nsumbu National Park Northern Province Kasaba Bay Airport [15]
Kasaba Bay Northern Province Kasaba Bay Airport In Nsumbu National Park,[16]
Kafue National Park North-Western Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Largest national park in Zambia, covering an area of about 22,400 km2
West Lunga National Park North-Western Province Solwezi Airport
Zambezi Source Mwinilunga, North-Western Province Solwezi Airport Source of the Zambezi river and a botanical reserve, part of Zambezi Source National Forest.
Blue Lagoon National Park Central Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport [17]
Lunsemfwa Wonder Gorge and Bell Point Mkushi, Central Province Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport
Kasanka National Park Central Province Mansa Airport
Kapishya Hotsprings Mpika, Muchinga Province Kasama Airport
Kundalila Falls Muchinga Province Mansa Airport
North Luangwa National Park Muchinga Province Mfuwe Airport
Nyika National Park Muchinga Province Mfuwe Airport
South Luangwa National Park Muchinga Province Mfuwe Airport [18]
Mfuwe Lodge Muchinga Province Mfuwe Airport [19] A safari lodge overlooking Mfuwe Lagoon in South Luangwa National Park
Chembe Bird Sanctuary Kitwe, Copperbelt Province Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport [20]
Nsobe Game Park Copperbelt Province Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport [21]
Happy Land Amusement Park Chongwe, Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Amusement Park[22]
Lochinvar National Park Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport [23]
Lolebezi Safari Lodge Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport [24]
Lower Zambezi National Park Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport [25]
Lusaka National Museum Lusaka, Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Museum[26]
Lusaka National Park Lusaka, Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
Munda Wanga Environmental Park Chilanga, Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport [27]
TAZARA Memorial Park Chongwe, Lusaka Province Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Museum[28]
Barotse Floodplain Western Province Mongu Airport [29]
Chavuma Falls Western Province Lukulu Airport
Liuwa Plain National Park Western Province Lukulu Airport [30]
Ngonye Falls Western Province Lukulu Airport [31][32] Also known as Sioma Falls
Sioma Ngwezi National Parks Western Province Sesheke Airport [33]

Governmental Policies Regarding Tourism

edit

Due to Zambia's poor economic status, the country has historically relied on foreign aid in an attempt to alleviate poverty.[34] Tourism has emerged in recent years as an alternate method to mining to boost Zambia's economy.[35][36]

Tourism is being seen by Zambia's government as a tool for economic and rural development, as it generates income, creates jobs, promotes wildlife conservation, and improves standards of living.[37][35]

The increasingly popular worldwide phenomena adventure tourism has also risen in popularity within Zambia, especially within the city of Livingstone, which is now becoming known as Africa's "adventure tourism capital".[38]

Since tourism as an economic sector is boosted with cooperation between neighboring countries, Zambia, as a member of the South African Development Community (SADC), has cooperated with other countries within the SADC in order to mutually attract tourists.[39]

Zambia, along with fellow SADC nations, have struggled to compete with other nations with more established tourist destinations, for a variety of reasons, some of which include difficulty in transportation to the countries, an absence of direct international flights, and failure to create attractive tourist experiences or products.[39]

Efforts to Promote Tourism

edit

As a member of the SADC,Zambia engaged in the following efforts to promote tourism.

SADC Tourism Protocol 1998 - Member countries are urged to create a "Univisa" that would allow tourists to travel across the borders of SADC countries freely. After initial success, in November 2014, Zambia and Zimbabwe signed a memorandum of understanding to put into effect a more permanent UNIVISA which allows tourists to visit both countries with a single visa.[40]

Regional Tourism Organization of South Africa (RETOSA) 2002 - In an attempt to make the SADC more appealing to visitors, the charter imposed upon member states of SADC a series of protocols and programs to promote the region.[39]

Zambia is currently struggling to facilitate tourism without creating a burden on local communities that would result in a loss of culture, an unstable economy, and compromised environment.[39]

Tourism as a form of wildlife conservation

edit

An increase in sport hunting and ecotourism has resulted in an increase in wildlife populations in South African countries such as Zambia. Since Zambia is home to so many national parks, waterfalls, and game management areas, most of Zambia's tourism is dependent on wildlife.[41] Ecotourism within Zambia, while devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has played a major role in controlling poaching and bringing in foreign investment for wildlife protection.[42]

One U.N. Development Programme, the Lion's Share, announced recently its commitment to grant $400,000 towards wildlife-based tourism in Zambia, in order to protect wildlife and generate jobs.[43] Not only is wildlife essential to the development of Zambia's Tourism industry and thus Zambia's economy, but tourism is also essential to the preservation of wildlife in Zambia.[41] The Minister of Tourism and Arts of Zambia stands by the framework defined in expectations and goals set out in the Agenda 2030, an initiative to increase tourism sustainability in Africa.[44]

However, tourism has also been linked to an increase in urbanization within Zambia, at the detriment of the environmentalism efforts. Another challenge of tourism is documented instances of the Dengue Virus being spread throughout the region from other neighboring countries.[45][46][47]

edit

Visa Regulations

edit

As of 1 October 2022, visa requirements were waived for tourists holding a passport from the following countries and territories:[48]

Country Gulf States Europe
  Australia   Bahrain   European Union
  Canada   Kuwait   United Kingdom
  China   Iraq   Norway
  Japan   Oman
  South Korea   Qatar
  United States   Saudi Arabia
  United Arab Emirates

Arrivals by country

edit

Most visitors arriving to Zambia were from the following countries of nationality:[49][50][51]

Country 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2015 2014 2013
  Tanzania 169,798 118,708 206,771 161,990 222,095 166,833 219,215 184,187
  Zimbabwe 139,881 185,154 424,921 340,263 242,848 225,527 208,962 191,048
  Democratic Republic of Congo 75,466 48,311 108,421 82,578 96,480 96,201 89,796
  South Africa 36,018 28,437 92,033 94,170 92,486 94,030 98,216 87,048
  India 14,944 10,960 30,789 25,505 22,337 25,517 21,117 17,136
  Mozambique 14,765 12,955 23,671 19,899 19,833
  Malawi 12,683 13,603 26,208 32,667 28,783 31,539 29,579
  United States 12,256 6,120 39,930 41,390 39,121 38,496 32,625 31,826
  Kenya 7,848 5,530 13,924 11,754 10,626
  Botswana 7,315 8,991
  United Kingdom 7,226 8,510 27,019 34,789 43,487 36,997 31,280 32,309
  China 6,918 7,696 34,400 27,796 26,562 20,648 30,831 27,603
  Namibia 6,148 7,537 22,311 16,742
  Uganda 4,175
  Germany 2,271 1,502 7,856 9,565 7,952
  France 1,956 1,623 6,142 6,460 5,092
  Netherlands 1,434 1,174
  Canada 1,244 1,406 6,786 6,911 5,311
  Italy 933 851 4,232 5,733 3,138
  Australia 677 1,644 10,614 11,059 8,547
  Denmark 424 379 1,670 1,764 2,225
Total 554,290 501,606 1,266,427 1,072,012 1,009,173 931,782 946,969 914,576

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Zulu, Delphine. "Zambia: Ugandan Minister Hails Zambia's Tourism". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  2. ^ "Zambia, Uganda forge relations to improve tourism - Zambia Daily MailZambia Daily Mail". Daily-mail.co.zm. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  3. ^ "Zambia, disease free Zone-ZTB | Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation". Znbc.co.zm. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  4. ^ "Zambia : Zambia and Kenya signs several MOUs in Agriculture, Tourism". Lusakatimes.com. 2015-07-04. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  5. ^ The Times of Zambia (Ndola) (2015-06-30). "Zambia: ZTA Strikes Strategic Partnership". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  6. ^ "Tourism | Zambia Development Agency". www.zda.org.zm. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  7. ^ David Smith (May 2015). "Zambia to lift ban on hunting of lions and leopards". The Guardian.
  8. ^ livingstonetourism (16 October 2022). "gwembe-reptile-park-and-safaris". livingstonetourism.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  9. ^ "European Union releases K1.5bn for Livingstone Museum renovations". Artshub.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  10. ^ zambiatourism (16 October 2022). "siavonga". zambiatourism.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  11. ^ Duller, Geoff A.T.; Tooth, Stephen; Barham, Lawrence; Tsukamoto, Sumiko (2015). "New investigations at Kalambo Falls, Zambia: Luminescence chronology, site formation, and archaeological significance". Journal of Human Evolution. 85: 111–125. doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.05.003. hdl:2160/29852. PMID 26073072.
  12. ^ "Kalambo Falls". zambia.travel. Zambia Tourism Agency. 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
  13. ^ daily-mail (3 December 2017). "where-water-meets-the-sky". daily-mail.co.zm. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  14. ^ journeyz (16 October 2022). "most-beautiful-waterfalls-in-zambia/#15_Chilambwe_Falls". journeyz.co. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  15. ^ Lusaka Times (20 March 2021). "five-star-hostels-to-be-built-at-kasaba-bay". lusakatimes.com. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  16. ^ Deloitte (17 April 2022). "Zambian National Budget Highlights 2022". deloitte.com/za/en/. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  17. ^ Camerapix: "Spectrum Guide to Zambia." Camerapix International Publishing, Nairobi, 1996.
  18. ^ televisual (12 October 2022). "bbc-nhu-pledges-1m-global-talent-development-initiative". televisual.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  19. ^ "In pictures: Elephants check into hotel in Zambia". Daily Mirror. October 2008.
  20. ^ wholefoodabroad (17 November 2020). "chembe-bird-sanctuary". wholefoodabroad.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  21. ^ nsobegamecamp, 15 October 2022. "nsobegamecamp". nsobegamecamp.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ develop-zambia (8 October 2022). "biggest-amusement-park-opens-in-zambia". develop-zambia.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Lochinvar National Park". Lochinvar National Park. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  24. ^ travelawaits (26 September 2022). "lolebezi-safari-lodge-zambia". travelawaits.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  25. ^ Ngwenya, Jabulile (2022-07-12). "Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia: World's Greatest Places 2022". Time. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  26. ^ "About Lusaka Museum". 2015-02-07. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
  27. ^ bizbwana (15 October 2022). "munda-wanga-environmental-park". bizbwana.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  28. ^ apanews (11 August 2022). "zambia-china-commission-memorial-park-for-tazara-construction-workers". apanews.net. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  29. ^ zambiatourism (16 October 2022). "barotse-floodplain". zambiatourism.com. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  30. ^ Jackman, Brian (2 January 2014). "Twenty destinations for 2014: Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia". The Daily Telegraph. London. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  31. ^ Ngonye Falls -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia
  32. ^ NGONYE FALLS - Zambia Tourism
  33. ^ daily-mail (19 October 2021). "the-rebirth-of-sioma-ngwezi". daily-mail.co.zm. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  34. ^ Masaki, Takaaki (2018-02-01). "The Political Economy of Aid Allocation in Africa: Evidence from Zambia". African Studies Review. 61 (1): 55–82. doi:10.1017/asr.2017.97. ISSN 0002-0206. S2CID 149235585.
  35. ^ a b Odhiambo, Nicholas M (Dec 2012). "Is Tourism Development an Engine for Economic Growth? The Zambian Experience". Economics, Management and Financial Markets. 7 (4): 87–100. ISSN 1842-3191. ProQuest 1326326744.
  36. ^ Kayizzi-Mugerwa, Steve (July 1991). "External shocks and adjustment in a mineral dependent economy: A short-run model for Zambia". World Development. 19 (7): 851–865. doi:10.1016/0305-750x(91)90138-8. ISSN 0305-750X.
  37. ^ Zibanai, Zhou (2014). "Southern Africa Tourism Industry: Recent Trends and Future Prospects". International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems. 7 (2). ISSN 0974-6250. ProQuest 1733224717.
  38. ^ Rogerson, Christian M (2006-06-30). "The emergence of tourism-led local development: the example of Livingstone, Zambia". Africa Insight. 35 (4). doi:10.4314/ai.v35i4.22462. ISSN 1995-641X.
  39. ^ a b c d Lehloenya, Pallollo Michael (2017). "Development and regulation of tourism for mutual benefit in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)" (PDF). Law, Democracy & Development. 21: 84–96. doi:10.4314/ldd.v21i1.5. ISSN 2077-4907.
  40. ^ "Department of Immigration". Republic of Zambia Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.
  41. ^ a b "Wildlife conservation, a key to diversification: To mark the International World Wildlife Day, the Acting High Commissioner Lucy Joyce has written about wildlife in Zambia; She said". African Press Organization - APO.
  42. ^ "Africa's year of zero: a special report on the future of wildlife tourism". The Financial Times Limited.
  43. ^ "U.N. Development Programme: The Lion's Share Provides Lifeline to Wildlife Tourism Communities, as COVID-19 Jeopardizes Conservation Worldwide". Targeted News Service.
  44. ^ "African Tourism Leaders Debate the Role of the Sector as a Tool for Inclusive Growth and Community Engagement". Targeted News Service. 29 November 2017.
  45. ^ Mdee, Anna; Ofori, Alesia; Chasukwa, Michael; Manda, Simon (2021-09-19). "Neither sustainable nor inclusive: a political economy of agricultural policy and livelihoods in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia". The Journal of Peasant Studies. 48 (6): 1260–1283. doi:10.1080/03066150.2019.1708724. ISSN 0306-6150. S2CID 216451363.
  46. ^ Holechek, Jerry; Valdez, Raul (2018-03-01). "Wildlife Conservation on the Rangelands of Eastern and Southern Africa: Past, Present, and Future". Rangeland Ecology & Management. 71 (2): 245–258. doi:10.1016/j.rama.2017.10.005. ISSN 1550-7424. S2CID 89789794.
  47. ^ Namukombo, Justina (2016-04-12). "Information and communication technologies and gender in climate change and green economy: Situating women's opportunities and challenges in Zambian policies and strategies". Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 8 (3): 7. doi:10.4102/jamba.v8i3.243. ISSN 1996-1421. PMC 6014032. PMID 29955317.
  48. ^ parliament.gov.zm (30 September 2022). "2023 Budget Speech". parliament.gov.zm. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  49. ^ "Tourism Statistical Digests". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  50. ^ "Tourism Statistics Digest 2021". Ministry of Tourism Zambia. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  51. ^ "Annual Statistics Reports". Ministry of Tourism Zambia. Retrieved 10 December 2023.