Pande speak on elephant management...

Zambia’s favourable climate attracts American tourists
From BWALYA NONDO in Nevada, USA

ZAMBIA’S favourable geo-political climate has stirred interest in a number of Americans to visit and sample the various tourism attractions. Some American citizens who thronged the Zambian stand at the on-going Annual Hunters Convention taking place in the American desert city of Reno, at the Spark Reno Convention Centre said, they were interested in coming to Zambia being one of the safest tourism destinations in the world. Peter Morris, a professional hunter and conversationalist underscored the importance of peace and political stability as key factors that determined the development and growth of tourism as an economic sector in any country. Mr Morris pledged to use his professional affiliation to help market the Visit Zambia Campaign across the United States.

American citizens’ interest to visit Zambia was aroused more by Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Kabinga Pande’s, speech to the convention, urging them to consider Zambia a safe safari-hunting destination. Mr Pande said the Zambian Government recognises the high economic value of wildlife resources and that tourism had been rated second most important economic sector, of which safari hunting was an integral part.
The minister said Government had linked poverty reduction in hunting areas to wildlife conservation. He said revenues collected from safari hunting were shared equally between local communities and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA). Mr Pande said safari hunters coming to Zambia would therefore contribute greatly to the enhancement of the rural economy especially in the development of social services. He said Government had put in place various mechanisms to add value to hunting expeditions.

On elephant hunting, the minister said Zambia decided to introduce this as sport hunting on pilot basis in Chiawa and Rufunsa Game Management Areas that border Zimbabwe. He said this decision was arrived at after observing that there was hunting of elephants in Zimbabwe and not in Zambia. This was despite managing the same animal population that kept crossing the borders.

The minister was grateful to Safari Club International for organising the convention that accorded Zambia an opportunity to market its safari hunting and tourism attractions. The weeklong convention has attracted 19,000 delegates from around the world.