Minister Sikumba Welcomes New Emirates Country Manager, Bids Farewell to Outgoing Executive
The Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney Sikumba, has officially bid farewell to the outgoing Country Manager for Emirates Airline, Mr Omar Bushlaibi, as he prepares to take up a new posting in Zimbabwe.
During a courtesy call, Mr Bushlaibi expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Zambia for the steadfast support extended to Emirates throughout his tenure.
He commended the strong partnership that has developed between the airline and the Ministry and expressed confidence that this collaborative spirit would continue under the incoming Country Manager, Mr Ahmad Ismail.
In his remarks, Minister Sikumba praised Mr Bushlaibi’s professionalism and his contribution to strengthening air connectivity and tourism linkages between Zambia and the wider world.
He described the relationship between the Ministry and Emirates as cordial and mutually beneficial, highlighting its importance in facilitating travel and promoting Zambia as a preferred tourism and investment destination.
The Minister also welcomed Mr Ismail, assuring him of continued government support, particularly under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Emirates Airline and the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA).
He emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging such partnerships to enhance destination marketing and increase tourist arrivals.
Minister Sikumba further highlighted Zambia’s growing focus on gastronomy tourism, encouraging Emirates to consider featuring Zambian and Zimbabwean cuisines on its in-flight menu as a form of cultural promotion.
He also suggested incorporating audio-visual materials on board to showcase Zambia’s rich tourism offerings to international travellers, noting the pivotal role such initiatives play in positioning the country as a top destination for authentic African experiences.
