LTA lauds Govt

By Chali Mulenga

THE Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) has praised the Government for allocating K32.3 billion for tourism marketing and promotion, Livingstone ahead of next year’s 20^th Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly.

 LTA chairperson Kingsley Lilamono said that his association was delighted the allocation by the Government has it has never happened before that such big allocation can be awarded for tourism marketing and promotion in the country especially for Livingstone.

 Speaking in an interview in Livingstone yesterday, Mr Lilamono said that it was now up to the ministry of tourism and arts to ensure that Livingstone is marketed and promoted ahead of the UNWTO conference.

“It is good that the Government is putting money in the right direction and that it is going to put the country on the advantage,” he said.

He thanked the government for incentives that would encourage rural based tourism and the fishing industry, and make water transport safer and more accessible.

 “We would like to commend the government for putting in place incentives that would encourage rural based tourism and the fishing industry, and make water transport safer and more accessible,” he said.

Mr Lilamono said explained that it was also god that the government has also proposed to remove duty on refrigerated fishing vessels, canoes, cruise and ferry boats, dredgers, pontoons and other water vessels.

 He expressed hope that his association would propose more concession from Government especially on accommodation.

“We also expected some relief on accommodation, however we are happy with what the Government has done for the tourism sector as we prepare for the UNWTO conference next year,” he said

 He said that with more incentive the Livingstone would acquire a lot of benefit from hosting the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Organisation Conference.

Mr Lilamono said the inventions the Government has proposed of suspending duty on the following goods on new motor vehicles for tourism enterprises that offer transport services would have the tourism sector in Livingstone to grow.

On Friday The minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda during his budget presentation, he said he has provided K32.3 billion for tourism marketing and promotion, with particular focus on the UNWTO conference that will be held in Livingstone in August 2013.

The minister also said that in support of the hosting of the UNWTO and that he would later propose tax concessions in his revenue measures.

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