Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba says the current administration has deliberately prioritized investment in tourism, as reflected in the continuous increase in budget allocations to the sector.

Mr Sikumba noted that in 2021, the Ministry of Tourism’s budget stood at about K3.3 million, rising to K1.3 billion in 2025 and further to K1.5 billion in 2026.

He explained that this growth has enabled the ministry to scale up international and domestic tourism marketing, improve support infrastructure, strengthen wildlife management systems, and deepen community participation in tourism development.

Delivering a ministerial statement in Parliament on the performance of the tourism sector from 2021 to 2025, Mr Sikumba said the upward trajectory demonstrates the government’s recognition of tourism as a critical pillar of Zambia’s economic diversification agenda.

He disclosed that Zambia recorded 2.3 million international arrivals in 2025 compared to 2.2 million in 2024, while domestic tourism also grew, with over 553,000 visits to museums, national parks, and heritage sites in 2025 compared to about 530,000 in 2024.

“Tourism remains one of Zambia’s strategic economic sectors with immense potential to drive economic transformation, job creation and sustainable development,” Mr Sikumba said.