Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration!
That’s the key word in Zambia Tourism Agency’s (ZTA’s) marketing strategy. And one of the most successful collaborative engagements in the last 4 years has been the CBI program with The Netherlands-based Center for the Promotion of Exports from Developing Countries. Under this program, 17 Zambian companies have received training in e-marketing and human resource management.
Charity Chewe, the CEO of Winning Travel and Tours in Livingstone, is one happy client.
“The CBI program has exposed my business to the European markets. So far, I have been to The Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. In addition, my company now has a fully-functional website in addition to training in e-marketing and HR issues. I can tell you that my business has improved as a result of the CBI sponsorship,” said Ms. Chewe in an interview.
Other Zambian operators who have benefitted from the CBI program include Sigo Adventures (Livingstone), Bantu Pathfinders (Livingstone), Savanah Trails (Livingstone), Limbo Lodge (Livingstone), Luciano Travels (Livingstone), Mambo Tours (Livingstone), and Going Places Travel and Tours (Lusaka).
In September 2016, the CBI team undertook a FAM tour of 2 of Zambia’s premier tourism destinations, namely, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks, organized by the Zambia Tourism Agency in collaboration with Max Mars Travel and Tours. The trip was an eye-opener as it afforded the operators to get first-hand appreciation of the products as well as a chance to meet lodge owners to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as pricing, packaging, and destination marketing in general.
As the 4-year support comes to and end this year, the graduands will soon be graduates – ready to face the world of tourism as Destination Management Companies (DMCs).
The Zambia Tourism Agency is hopeful that this program will be extended in order to enable more small-scale Zambian business owners to benefit from this important program.
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