Tourist Numbers Have Drastically Dropped – HCAZ

The Hostels and Catering Association of Zambia (HCAZ), located in Mbala district, have commented on the drastic reduction of tourists in the area as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many tourists have been unable to visit the area due to restrictions around the world disallowing passengers to leave their borders. As a result, the tourism industry within the area has been operating at below average.

In spite of this, the HCAZ Abercorn Chapter Chairperson, Geoffrey Chellah, was positive that measures being implemented worldwide, such as vaccination programmes, are sure to help the Zambian tourism industry.

“With concerted efforts being put in place globally to fight the pandemic, we are hoping to record some positive changes, especially in 2021,” he said. 

Tourism within the country has seen a dramatic decline, with hotel occupancy in Livingstone suffering losses of up to 70% earlier in the year. If the government don’t intervene, the United Nations predict that the sector could be the hardest hit in the country as a result of the pandemic, potentially losing more than 60% of pre-COVID jobs.

Photo: HCAZ Facebook