Proflight Zambia Secures Best Tourism Transportation Award at Tourism Excellence Awards
Proflight Zambia, the leading airline in the region, has been honored with the prestigious title of Best Tourism Transportation at the esteemed Tourism Excellence Awards.
This recognition underscores the airline’s outstanding contribution to Zambia’s transport sector, tourism industry, and overall economic growth.
Themed “Sustainable Tourism: Preserve and Prosper,” the Tourism Excellence Awards highlighted Proflight’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices, solidifying its position as a responsible industry leader.
The awards ceremony, attended by key figures in the tourism sector, aimed to recognize individuals and organizations pushing the boundaries of excellence in contributing to Zambia’s tourism goals.
Hon. Rodney M. Sikumba, the Minister of Tourism, praised Proflight Zambia’s exemplary efforts, stating, “The Tourism and Excellence Awards aim to uphold the extraordinary contributions of individuals and organizations that have pushed the boundaries of excellence. The awards, with the theme ‘Sustainable Tourism: Preserve and Prosper,’ resonate with each one of us and the role we play in creating the magic of travel.”
He congratulated all award recipients and industry stakeholders, emphasizing their pivotal role in achieving Zambia’s ambitious target of 1.5 million international tourist arrivals for the year. Notably, the third quarter of 2023 saw a remarkable 23% increase in international arrivals.
Proflight Zambia, through strategic tourism-focused routes, has played a crucial role in expanding the aviation and tourism sectors.
Routes to destinations such as Livingstone, Mfuwe, Jeki, and Royal in the Lower Zambezi have enhanced Zambia’s visibility on the global tourism stage.
Captain Josias Walubita, Director of Flight Operations at Proflight Zambia, expressed gratitude for the award, stating, “We are privileged at Proflight to accept this award, which serves as a genuine acknowledgment of our dedication and impact on the growth of Zambia’s tourism. Our relentless efforts are focused on providing dependable, suitable, timely, and secure services that make substantial contributions to the economy.”
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Proflight Zambia demonstrated resilience, surpassing previous benchmarks in passenger numbers, fleet expansion, route networks, and seat capacity.
In 2022, the airline marked an impressive 89% recovery rate from 2019 on vital tourism routes, setting a positive trajectory for the industry.
This momentum continued in 2023, with a notable 10% increase in traffic to Livingstone and a 3% uptick to Mfuwe compared to 2019. The overall domestic network experienced a commendable 36% upswing.
Proflight Zambia’s commitment to safety, demonstrated by its outstanding safety record and strict compliance with aviation regulations, was acknowledged.
The airline’s innovative booking and ticketing processes, available both online and in physical offices, enhance travelers’ convenience, offering various payment options, including credit/debit cards, cash transfer, PayPal, and mobile money.
Receiving the award at the Proflight head office, Capt. Walubita extended gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism, Zambia Tourism Agency, Tourism Council of Zambia, and other stakeholders for organizing the prestigious event.
He affirmed Proflight Zambia’s pride in being a positive force in the industry, contributing to increased tourist arrivals and enhancing Zambia’s tourism product.
Proflight Zambia now looks forward to continued growth, positioning itself as a pivotal player in the ongoing development of Zambia’s tourism and economic landscape.
