Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo has maintained that Zambia and Zimbabwe have adequately prepared for hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly even if the event was to be held tomorrow.
Speaking in Berlin, Germany, today, Ms Masebo said the preparedness of the two countries can be seen in the strengthened collaborative efforts at various levels as the UNWTO event draws close.
Answering questions from Zimbabweans journalists who mobbed her when she visited that country’s stand at the ongoing World Travel Trade show in Berlin, Ms Masebo stressed that the two countries have so far done well and are ready to host the event.
“As we stand now, Zambia and Zimbabwe area both ready to host this event. The two countries have been working in unison,” the minister said.
Ms Masebo explained that the two countries will use the UNWTO general assembly to showcase Africa as a preferred tourism destination.
“We want this to even go beyond the UNWTO,” she said.
The Zimbabwean journalists wanted to know if the two countries would manage to host the event considering that only few months are remaining before the hosting dates of 24 to 29th August 2013.
But Ms Masebo maintained that the two countries have done well in the preparations as they have been busy developing tourism infrastructure.
“The two countries are working as one. We have various technical committees including the ministerial one,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Masebo has visited various African stands at the ongoing World Travel show to lobby their support during the hosting on the UNWTO general assembly.
The minister met and discussed with senior officials from the African countries that are exhibiting at the show.
Among the stands visited include those of the Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, South Sudan and Nigeria.
Ms Masebo called for support among African countries in order to foster economic development.
When she visited the Nigerian stands, she proposed that Zambia and Nigeria should consider having a friendly football match as former and current African champions as part of the UNWTO general assembly activities.
Ms Masebo discussed with Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Olumba Runsewe, how the two countries can benefit from sports tourism.
ZANIS
Awesome !
@masala market …what awesome?,,, is your thing erecting already?
@Dobo it is awesome for Zambia to host an event of this magnitude and it is good to see Zimbabwe back in international news too.In a positive light this time.
@ masala market… there is nothing awesome about hosting that event, when masses zambians are starving, mealie meal price have gone up, daily masive shortage mealie meal, daily zesco blackout, etc,,, so awesome cannot be the word!,, and zimbabwe has been in international headlines already , thats not new!
Of course there is nothing awesome about that unless he doesn’t know what awesome means.
This masala is a troll who has no points and just yaps like ” spot on” or “awesome” so he is the first one to comment and marks his point up himself. Seems like someone who likes to see their name on top with no subšance in their contributions ignore him he I probably 12 because if he is older than that then he is dull.
Watch his comments you will see a trend
Abena Dobo naimwe this is good in the long run.This will indirectly help market Zambia’s tourism.Countries all over the world take advantage of events like this to market themselves.Just forgot about politics for a while.Zimbababwe has been in the news of late but in a negative sense.This is good for them.
This is awesome indeed.If only you can remove your political reading glasses.
This is good in the long run.This will indirectly help market Zambia’s tourism.Countries all over the world take advantage of events like this to market themselves.Just forgot about politics for a while.Zimbababwe has been in the news of late but in a negative sense.This is good for them.
You can insult or call me names but that won`t make you appear more intelligent than i`m.I actually don`t expect everyone to agree with my point of view because it is rare for two different individuals to share the same point of view.We all look at things from different angles.Please let us learn to respect one another.
Give it up masala I know you are trying to qualify and minimise the collateral damage. But you are now appearing desperate . You should have said all that if that’s what you meant. You are a baby troll
Chanda at the level where i have reached(academically and socially) i don`t care much if someone agrees with me or not.So please don`t get me wrong i`m not trying to win you over to my side or anyone else.I`m just trying to put things from the way i understand them.Internet anonymity comes with challenges and being insulted and called names is one of them.I just think it is important for us individuals not to get carried away.I rest my case…have a lovely weekend my brother/sister.
@Masala Market don’t bother, watch dog’s bitter mentality sees politics in everything. They are so bitter that they can’t stand smelling anything sweet from Sata’s government even on a non partisan national issue. When you choke with your bitterness please just cry. It helps you know!
Ndobo you are a scrub,get a life.
@Robin… Mwaiche iwe, you are such a coward, iwe kaboi, you hide behind all these comments and throw a cheap punch. Be a man donot hide behind shadows!
@Ndobo who dare you call me mwaice,i can look after you and your entire miserable family,that’s if you can afford a UK VISA.
@Robin… go and read jelita and mulenga books, that will help you mend your english language, or try and learn kitchen english from your boss`children while carrying out your duties,,, iwe kaboi! then you can come and talk to me. Ba kaboi mwafula mu UK! Go back home its better for you
How can she speak for Zimbabwe when they can speak for themselves?They(Zimbabweans) have said they are an Independent Nation and therefore don’t need her as their spokesmans.She can speak for Summer because she even appoints him to ZWB to put more money in his pockets..
I thought she was simply answering questions put to her by Zimbabwean journalists!
Of course she knows what Zim is doing to prepare for this event, just like her counterpart in Zim knows what Zed is doing to prepare. I am sure they talk and coordinate all the time. I see no harm in either Mss. Masebo or her Zim counterpart to comment on the generalities of the preparations that both countries are engaged in.
To suggest that she can’t mention Zim in her discussions or answers because Zim is an independent and sovereign nation is really cheap politicking!
I like the idea of a friendly match between Zambia and Nigeria during UNWTO general assembly! Sports has the potential to built bridges, and both countries will benefit as they prepare for those crucial World Cup Qualifiers.
“Your comment is awaiting moderation”, Ba LT, for what?
Your software must have gone boncus today!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mine on a different topic since yesterday, the these guys can be so moody , i never use abusive language but they still want to intimidate me.
She looks more manly, sorry just saying the truth
Thanks
@ mushota… i did not see the ndevu,
Dont people shave that? you dont sound clever
Thaks
@mushota… write your english like you re in UK not what you are doing..`´ don´t people shave that“ thats thinking in bemba and writing in chizungu.
One can take a monkey from a banana plantation in africa, but won´t manage to take banana images from the monkey head in Uk… PhD Student iwe!
But I thought she should have opted for a joint press appearance with her Zimbabwean counter part. The fact that Zimbabweans ‘mobbed’ her may mean their government has failed to live up to their expectations. Zim journalists are a critical lot along with the South Africans, unlike ours here. By the way to those that may wish to know, Zim tourism minister did his college education in Ndola at Nortec in the late 90s. A good guy Walter Mzambi
But does the article say her Zim counterpart is also at this event in Germany?
What she gave were simply impromptu answers to queries from Zim journalists. There is always a time and place for joint press appearances/conferences, this wasn’t it!
Sorry I meant the ZIM tourism minister Walter Mzambi did his college education at Ndola’s Nortec in the late 80s not 90s
LT, don’t you guys take photos. Where are photos of Livingstone airport, tourist attractions and how much of the city has prepared for this?
Poor reporting.
MADAM MASEBO BILLBOARDS ON SUBWAYS/UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS IN WORLD CITIES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF MARKETING ZAMBIA’S TOURISM. IT’S WHEN PEOPLE ARE TIRED FROM WORK THAT THEY THINK OF HOLIDAYS. EVEN IN THE MORNING WHEN GOING TO WORK THAT THEY THINK OF HOLIDAYS. STRATEGICALLY, SUBWAY SYSTEMS ARE A BEST PLACE TO PLACE YOUR ADVERTS SUPPLEMENTED BY TV ADs WHICH ARE NORMALLY TOO EXPENSIVE DEPENDING ON WHAT TIME THEY PLAY YOUR ADs. STREET BILLBOARDS ARE, TOO, EFFECTIVE.
Social media and web. Most people book holidays online and will seek out opinions and reviews, imagery and look at facilities, flights, accommodation, activities, info on the country etc. It doesn’t help that almost every brochure/magazine in travel agencies shows Livingstone and Zed holidays under South Africa. This was sanctioned by our own thinking cheaply they could piggy back but the result is very little of the income leaves SA aside from drinks, curios and a little local spend as SA cleverly sells packaged pre paid holidays. We should be looking more at web/social media campaigns and will reach more than the chosen path. Interactive engagement of people through creative competitions and targeted reviews from sites who successfully get large volumes of holiday seekers is key.
Unlike their master, most PF ministers still use the inherited style from the MMD of issuing empty statements without figures just because they have been offered a microphone. Please, provide the target figures against what has been achieved so far. Tell us how many guests are expected and from where, how many will Zambia host, travel (direct, charter flights, buses, taxis) accommodation (hotels, lodges, guest houses), security, visa arrangements and relaxation in minimum requirements for the purpose. For L/Stone bye elections, 300 policemen were sent, only to hear the unexpected. How many policemen, vehicles, helicopters, equipment will be provided, but not 300 officers with 1 vehicle for officer in charge only. Don’t talk about Zambia v Nigeria friendly, that’s for Kambwili and FAZ.
Honestly, other than that she has spoken, there is no substance to back this talk. She was busy creating violence in Livingstone to the dismay and disgust of tourists but now claims Zambia is ready? This is hypocritical. The same PF is promoting street vending but equally claiming to be doing everything to boost Zambia’s image, the question is how? What is on the ground?
ukusasa sumthing mayo iwe