Zambia Inaugurates New Tourism Board as Arrivals Double Since 2022
Zambia's Minister of Tourism Rodney M. Sikumba inaugurated the new Board of the Zambia Tourism Agency in Lusaka on 9 May 2026, describing the appointment as a pivotal step in positioning Zambia as a globally competitive tourism destination. The Board, chaired by Keira L. Johnson and comprising representatives from government and the private sector, assumes office against a backdrop of strong sector growth - international tourist arrivals have more than doubled from just over one million in 2022 to approximately 2.3 million in 2025, driven by improved destination marketing, increased air access, and stronger investor confidence. The Ministry of Tourism's budget has also grown significantly, from around K304 million in 2021 to more than K1.2 billion in 2025.
Minister Sikumba used the occasion to set a clear direction for the new Board, calling for greater innovation, digital transformation, and a data-driven approach to destination management. He urged diversification beyond Zambia's traditional tourism offering to encompass culture, heritage, eco-tourism, gastronomy, adventure, faith, sports, community, and MICE tourism. Acting Chief Executive Officer Abigail Shansonga reaffirmed the Agency's commitment to aggressive destination marketing and the strengthening of tourism standards, while Board representative Japhet Lishomwa pledged strategic leadership in support of the government's broader tourism development agenda.
Source: VoyagesAfriq