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Chief Hamusonde of the Lundwe speaking people in Monze District has praised the Ministry of Tourism for its plans to market available tourist attractions saying the move will help promote tourism in the district.
He said it was gratifying to see that government was showing seriousness in developing the tourism sector which can spar economic development in the country.
He was speaking when a team from the Ministry of Tourism in the company of Monze District Commissioner Mr. Biggie Mwiinde and other government officers paid a courtesy call on him yesterday.
Chief Hamusonde said the district was endowed with a number of tourist attractions which if well marketed well can radically transform the face of the district.
“Iam pleased to hear that government has embarked on this exercise of identifying, documenting various tourist products and attractions in the district with a view to market them and this will definitely bring economic development to the district,” said Chief Hamusonde.
And Regional Tourism Co-coordinator Harold Mweene said it was government’s intention to open up more areas with tourism potential so that tourists can stay longer in Zambia as they do in other neighbouring countries.
Mr. Mweene said the move was also aimed at encouraging domestic tourism so that locals cannot only take keen interests in enjoying tourism products on offer in various parts of the country but also bestow knowledge to young generations.
He noted that Monze has a number of tourist attractions but that inadequate marketing and poor road infrastructure leading to these tourism sites was one of the stumbling blocks that needed to be addressed.
The team which toured Lochnivar National Park and other tourism packages within the park such the Gwisho Hot Springs, Drums Rocks and the Blue Lagoon.
The team is also expected to visit Namwala, Gweembe, and Sinazongwe to conduct consultative meeting on tourism potential of the districts.
Meanwhile, government has released K192, 000 towards the rehabilitation of the Lochnivar Guest House to provide accommodation to tourists.
Area Wildlife warden Wilfred Moonga said another K130, 000 was needed to complete the works at the guest house which closed in the early 90s due to disrepair.
Mr. Moonga observed that once the major rehabilitation works are completed, the guest house will provide accommodation to tourists and enable them stay longer in the park.
“One of the major problem tourist complain about is lack of accommodation here in the National Park and I am confident that once we finish the rehabilitation works we anticipate tourists to stay here much longer,” Mr. Moonga said.
And Monze District Commissioner Biggie Mwiinde said government was serious about improving the tourism sector not only to provide job opportunities but also to provide the much needed revenue for the country’s prosperity.
The District Commissioner pledged to work with any organizations interested in promoting tourism in Monze district.
Some of the available and tourism potential Monze District is blesst with include Fort Monze, the site where the first colonial police post was established in 1899, the Lochnivar National Park, the annual Lwiindi ceremony, the annual Tonga Music concert, transhumance,(movement of cattle from drier lands to wet lands) the blue lagoon among others.
