Zambia's Tourism Minister Calls on Traditional Leaders to Help Drive Five Million Arrivals Target
Zambia's Minister of Tourism, Princess Kasune, has called for stronger collaboration between government and traditional leaders to position cultural heritage as a driver of tourism growth, as the country works towards a target of five million tourist arrivals. Speaking at the 2026 Ikubi Lya Malumbe Traditional Ceremony of Chief Chibuluma in Mumbwa District on 1 November 2026, Ms Kasune said traditional ceremonies provide a platform for preserving cultural identity while generating economic opportunities for local communities. The ceremony was held under the theme "Culture to Help Accelerate Development."
Ms Kasune said partnerships between government, traditional leaders and communities were central to President Hakainde Hichilema's Grow Zambia Agenda, and that traditional ceremonies could make a measurable contribution to national tourism targets. She also highlighted a range of infrastructure investments under way in the Chibuluma Chiefdom, including health facilities, classroom improvements, water schemes and irrigation projects expected to benefit more than 500 people through community cooperatives. The minister urged women and young people to take advantage of government-supported opportunities to strengthen their livelihoods. Zambia's cultural tourism offering, anchored by more than 300 traditional ceremonies held annually across the country, represents a significant and largely underdeveloped asset for the sector.
Source: Times of Zambia
