Zambia Strengthens Tourism Ties with UN as Minister Meets Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili
Zambia has taken a bold step toward elevating its global tourism profile by holding a high-level bilateral meeting with His Excellency Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations Tourism.
The engagement, hosted in the scenic city of Livingstone, brought together top government officials and senior representatives from UN Tourism to explore new avenues for sustainable tourism development.
The landmark meeting, led by Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Rodney Sikumba, focused on strategies to position Zambia as a leading tourism destination in Africa. Central to the discussions were Zambia’s plans to diversify its tourism offerings—from traditional safari experiences to include cultural, adventure, and eco-tourism—while promoting connectivity and accessibility.
Secretary-General Pololikashvili commended Zambia’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and natural environment, praising the country’s efforts in balancing tourism growth with sustainability.
He pledged full support from UN Tourism in areas such as technical assistance, training programs, and global marketing strategies to help boost Zambia’s tourism sector.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the emphasis on entrepreneurship and skills development. Minister Sikumba revealed plans for establishing a national academy that will offer both hospitality and entrepreneurship training, noting that the curriculum is already in place. The initiative aims to empower Zambians to become job creators in the tourism industry.
Pololikashvili further stressed the importance of fostering public-private partnerships to attract investment, create employment, and reduce poverty within local communities.
He expressed optimism about Zambia’s potential and reiterated UN Tourism’s commitment to walking alongside the country on its journey toward inclusive and sustainable tourism.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Sikumba thanked the UN Tourism Secretary-General for his visit and reaffirmed Zambia’s dedication to aligning its tourism policies with international best practices and global development goals.
