Siavonga District Commissioner Geoffrey Jakopo has called on potential investors in the district to prioritise investing in the hospitality industry.

Mr Jakopo notes that much investment is needed in hospitality infrastructure such as hotels and lodges in the district to increase the bed space in the industry.

He said this will help the hospitality industry to respond to the needs of the tourism industry in Siavonga district. 

ZANIS reports that Mr Jakopo said this in response to the concern by stakeholders that the district has a high demand for bed space that the hospitality industry has not been able to meet.

“The district has untapped investment potential in tourism considering the various natural resources and the scenery features that are available, but there is a need to invest more in hospitality infrastructure,” the DC said.

Mr Jakopo added that the district hosts alot of conferences, businesses seminars, and workshops which brings in potential tourists and hotels and lodges should have enough bed space to meet the demand if the district has to grow the tourism sector.

He however, urged the local people to get involved in district development so that they can appreciate the tourism potential the area has and be able to invest in the sector. 

” The government is committed to ensuring that the status of the district as a second tourism destination is enhanced and well marketed, the DC said.

And Hotel and Catering Association of Zambia (HCAZ) Siavonga branch chairperson, Philip Nakonde acknowledged the need for more investment in the tourism infrastructure and to increase bed space to meet the demand of tourists.

Mr Nkonde who is also Manchichi Bay Lodge manager stated that the district currently cannot host big conferences or accommodate more than 1000 people due to inadequate bed space among other services.

” There is a need for investment in the hotel industry here in Siavonga so that we can be able to host big conferences that can take more than 1000 people. Now we are not able especially during holidays and people struggle to find where to go,” he said.

He also urged players in the hospitality industry to modernise their facilities in order to provide competitive services.