Ministry of Tourism Zambia

Ministry of Tourism Zambia The Ministry of Tourism and Art was created on 10th July, 2011 after realignment of Government Ministries by His Excellency Mr.
(4)

Michael Chilufya Sata, the President of Republic of Zambia. This brought together the portfolio functions of tourism from former Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism and the portfolio functions of Culture from the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs. This was done in order to streamline and rationalise the functions and operations of the tourism and cultural sector. The Ministry draws it

s mandate from the portfolio functions as stipulated in the Government Gazette Notice No 561 of 2012 as follows:

Accommodation and establishments;
Arts and Culture centers;
Culture industries;
Culture Policy;
Casinos;
National Parks and Wildlife;
Safari Operations;
Travel agencies; and
Tourism Policy. The Ministry is also responsible for the following statutory bodies:

Zambia Wildlife Authority;
Zambia Tourism Board;
National Arts Council; and
Hotel and Tourism Training Institute. Besides the portfolio functions, the Ministry is mandated under the law to ensure implementation of the following Acts as outlined below:

Tourism and Hospitality Act No. 23 of 2007
Zambia Tourism Board Acts No. 24 of 2007
National Arts Council Act No. 31 of 1994
Zambia Wildlife Act No.12 of 1998. Vision Statement

“To be a destination of choice with unique features thriving on well conserved natural resources, cultural heritage, and creative industries that significantly contribute to employment creation, sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction by 2030”. Mission Statement:

“To facilitate and promote sustainable tourism and arts development and, culture preservation for socio-economic development”

Value Statement

The general strategy proposed for achieving this aspiration is captured in the Ministry’s value statement; “to uphold integrity, excellence, transparency, impartiality, courtesy and team spirit in discharging its mandate”. Goals Statements

To increase Tourism and Arts Sector contribution to GDP from 2.1 in 2012 to 6% in 2016. To increase employment creation from 30,000 in 2012 to 300,000 in 2016. Objectives:

To provide policy and regulatory frameworks in order to create a conducive environment for Tourism and, Arts development and preservation of culture;
To facilitate and co-ordinate the rehabilitation of existing and construction of new tourism, arts and culture infrastructure in order to promote the development of the sector;
To promote research, investments, marketing and product development in tourism, arts and culture in order to contribute to employment and wealth creation;
To effectively manage and facilitate development of human resources in order to improve organizational performance;
To facilitate and coordinate the provision of quality education and training in tourism, culture, arts and wildlife in order to contribute to their effective management, sustainable development and utilization;
To promote and facilitate bilateral and multilateral cooperation in tourism, arts and culture in order to foster Zambia’s interests and meet international obligations;
To plan, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of ministerial and sector policies and programs in order to assess their contribution to set objectives; and
To provide administrative and logistical support services in order to enhance effective and efficient operations of the Ministry.

Day 2 Highlights of Likumbi Lya Mize! The sandy shores of the Zambezi River came alive during Chilende Chamu Nganda (Bea...
03/08/2026

Day 2 Highlights of Likumbi Lya Mize!

The sandy shores of the Zambezi River came alive during Chilende Chamu Nganda (Beach Day), a vibrant celebration of traditional dancing, music, local cuisine and community spirit.

One of the festival's most anticipated events, Beach Day beautifully showcased the rich heritage and warm hospitality of the Luvale people.

03/08/2026

Highlights in Motion

03/08/2026

Pioneers in the Wild: The Women Who Broke Barriers in Zambia's Ranger Service

Long before women in uniform became a common sight in Zambia's protected areas, a few courageous trailblazers stepped into a profession that was almost exclusively reserved for men. They faced immense challenges, worked in some of the country's most demanding wilderness areas, and proved that dedication, courage and leadership know no gender.

Among these pioneers was Susan Chimuka Moonga, who made history in 1980 as the first woman to join Zambia's uniformed ranger service. At a time when the idea of a female wildlife ranger was unfamiliar, Susan answered the call to protect Zambia's natural heritage.

She was deployed to the vast and challenging Kafue National Park, where she served in the field alongside her male counterparts. Her commitment and professionalism earned her the responsibility of becoming the Ranger-in-Charge of Tree Tops Camp in Kafue National Park an achievement that demonstrated her exceptional leadership and resilience.

A few years later, around 1984/1985, more women followed the path Susan had helped to forge. Among them was Melody Zeko, another remarkable conservationist whose career would go on to redefine the role of women in wildlife management.

Melody rose through the ranks to become Zambia's first female Warden, taking charge of Lower Zambezi, an area renowned at the time for its difficult terrain and the persistent threat posed by heavily armed poachers. Serving in such a demanding environment required extraordinary courage, sound judgment and unwavering determination. Melody proved that women could not only serve on the frontlines of conservation but could also lead from the front.

Her groundbreaking career continued to reach new heights. She later became the first female Director of Conservation and Management, breaking yet another glass ceiling and paving the way for future generations of women to aspire to leadership within Zambia's wildlife sector.

The stories of Susan Chimuka Moonga and Melody Zeko are more than milestones in history they are powerful reminders of the resilience, dedication and pioneering spirit that have shaped wildlife conservation in Zambia. Their achievements challenged stereotypes, opened doors for countless women who followed and strengthened the country's efforts to safeguard its rich biodiversity.

Today, as more women proudly wear the ranger's uniform across Zambia's national parks and game management areas, they walk a path first cleared by these extraordinary pioneers. Their legacy lives on in every patrol undertaken, every species protected, and every young woman inspired to dedicate her life to conserving Zambia's priceless natural heritage.

Their story is one of courage. Their legacy is one of leadership. Their impact will continue to inspire generations of conservationists for years to come.

03/08/2026

Visit the Ministry of Tourism Zambia stand today and get to know more about the Ministry of Tourism GREAT-TDP project and what we are doing under the project.

03/08/2026

🐐🦙🐰 Calling all little animal lovers! 🐥🐴

Come and enjoy a fun-filled adventure at the Mini Zoo at the Showgrounds at the Ministry of Tourism Stand F23! Meet friendly animals, learn about them up close, and make unforgettable memories with your family and friends.

Get ready for smiles, giggles, and lots of amazing animal encounters! 🌟💚

Geopolitical tensions in Middle East as major hubs for Tourists interconnectivity affects  half year International Touri...
02/08/2026

Geopolitical tensions in Middle East as major hubs for Tourists interconnectivity affects half year International Tourists Arrivals

Lusaka, 2 August 2026

The Ministry of Tourism has announced that Zambia's tourism sector continues to demonstrate resilience despite global economic and geopolitical challenges that affected performance during the first half of 2026. The Ministry remains optimistic that strategic interventions and intensified destination marketing will drive stronger growth in the second half of the year.

Addressing members of the press, Permanent Secretary Mr. Evans Muhanga said international tourist arrivals stood at 1,033,284 during the first half of 2026, representing a 6.6 percent decline compared to 1,106,559 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.

He attributed the decline to global geopolitical tensions, increased travel costs resulting from higher fuel prices, slower economic growth in key source markets and disruptions to international air connectivity.

The Permanent Secretary further disclosed that visits to tourism sites, including National Parks, Heritage Sites and National Museums, slightly declined by 1.24 percent, from 246,920 visits during the first half of 2025 to 243,864 in the same period this year.

Mr. Muhanga noted that tourism sector revenues amounted to K177.82 million, compared to K241.90 million during the same period in 2025. The reduction was largely attributed to lower collections from tourism levy and hunting and park fees, although positive growth was recorded in casino revenues, hotel managers' registration and tourism enterprise registrations.

Despite these challenges, the Ministry recorded significant achievements in destination marketing and investment promotion. Among the key highlights were the successful hosting of the Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX) 2026, participation in Experience Africa in the United Kingdom, Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in India, Meetings Africa in South Africa and ITB Berlin in Germany. These engagements strengthened Zambia's visibility in international tourism markets and created opportunities for investment and business partnerships.

The Ministry also made significant progress in strengthening the tourism sector through strategic interventions, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with UN Tourism to facilitate the development of a Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which will improve the measurement of tourism's contribution to the national economy.

Additionally, Government officially launched the "Zambia Moves You" destination brand to enhance the country's competitiveness as a tourism and investment destination.

Looking ahead, the Ministry remains confident that tourism performance will improve during the remainder of 2026. Enhanced destination marketing, improved air connectivity, expanded tourism products, increased investment in tourism infrastructure, growth in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and continued promotion of domestic tourism are expected to support the sector's recovery and growth.The Ministry projects international tourist arrivals to reach 2.5 million by the end of the year.

The Ministry of Tourism reaffirms its commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders, cooperating partners and local communities to build a resilient, competitive and sustainable tourism sector that contributes meaningfully to Zambia's socio-economic development.

Issued By
Nelly Banda Chewe
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Tourism

02/08/2026

Join us live as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Evans Muhanga, presents the sector's performance for the first half of the year.

Visit the Ministry of Tourism Stand F23 and win yourself some nice goodies.....
02/08/2026

Visit the Ministry of Tourism Stand F23 and win yourself some nice goodies.....

02/08/2026

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Zambia's cultural heritage with the Ministry of Tourism's cultural troupe. Enjoy energetic traditional dances accompanied by the powerful rhythm of authentic Zambian drums.

Visit us at Stand F23 at the Agriculture and Commercial Show for an unforgettable cultural experience. See you there!

Address

Cairo Rd
Lusaka

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