Zambia to Host 3rd Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism Education Summit in 2025
Zambia is set to host the 3rd edition of the Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism Education Summit from April 7-9, 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
Organized by the Zambia Institute for Tourism & Hospitality Studies (ZITHS), the summit will focus on addressing skills gaps in Africa’s tourism sector under the theme: “Understanding the Knowledge and Skills Gaps in Africa’s Trade in Services Industry: Empowering Africa’s Tourism Workforce in the AfCFTA Era.”
Bringing together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders, the summit aims to enhance tourism education and workforce development across Africa. It aligns with global standards such as the UN Tourism’s 2022 Tourism Education Guidelines, ensuring that educational pathways support a sustainable and competitive tourism industry.
Tourism is a vital sector in Zambia’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP and providing employment, particularly for women and youth. The summit reflects Zambia’s commitment to human capital development in tourism, as outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
Since its launch in 2023, the summit has influenced key educational policies, including the integration of Travel & Tourism as a subject in the Zambia Education Curriculum Framework (ZECF 2023-2033).
The 2025 edition will attract high-level participation from stakeholders across Africa, including representatives from UN Tourism, government officials, educators, and industry practitioners. The collaboration between Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Education highlights the government’s focus on competency-based learning and workforce development.
Given that tourism is a labor-intensive sector, the need for skilled professionals has never been more critical. Strengthening education and training will enhance service standards, improve industry competitiveness, and boost job creation. By aligning education with industry needs, Zambia is positioning itself as a leader in tourism workforce development, reinforcing its status as a hub for tourism education and policy dialogue.
This is in a statement issued by Nelly Banda, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Tourism.
