Tour operators must cater to locals – Nayee

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes@SunZambian PLAYERS in the tourism industry should produce packages for local tourism for them to continue to be in business during the COVID-19 period which has resulted in countries imposing travel restrictions, thereby impacting the sector.These packages should include cutting down on some of the costs for tourists, says Sharad Nayee, Honorary Life Member, Kitwe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Mr Nayee stressed that these would attract a number of local tourists interested in visiting local destinations.He indicated that much as the players would not make enough money, these measures would assist them to sail through the current COVID-19 period.He said this during the Anakazi Banking Online Conversation whose topic of discussion was “Riding the business dynamics in COVID-19.”“With these restrictions we have of travelling outside the country and the restrictions on foreign tourists now, I would expect them to produce packages for local tourism and continue to be in business.“At the best of times, tourism is restricted mainly to foreign tourists because it is expensive. The hotels and other services are so expensive, but this is the time to cut back a bit and promote local tourism,” Mr Nayee said.Meanwhile, Mr Nayee expressed confidence that the Zambian economy would rebound as the country had been through worst crisis before which it sailed through.He said the Zambian economy had been through many tough times where it sailed through.“There are always opportunities and there will always be opportunities. We have an economy which is like a roller coaster it goes up and down.“You need to be aware and be prepared for it and need to ride it through, we are going through the downturn at the moment and I am sure we will overcome the challenges. We have seen tough periods in the business community and in the economy but we go through it and come out stronger,” Mr Nayee said. The Sun