President Hakainde Hichilema says aligning education with tourism development is key to transforming Zambia’s tourism sector and creating employment opportunities.

The President said this in a speech delivered on his behalf by Education Minister Douglas Syakalima during the Fourth Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

He said the summit theme speaks directly to national development goals and highlights the importance of education in advancing tourism.

“The theme, aligning education in tourism development, speaks directly to our national goals and our commitment to transforming the sector,” he said.

President Hichilema noted that education played  a central role in developing relevant skills and generating income within the tourism industry.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to aligning education with national development and unlocking Zambia’s tourism potential,” he said.

He further said the summit provides a platform to align education, industry and policy for sustainable growth and job creation.

“This summit offers a vital platform to align education, industry and policy for sustainable growth and job creation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba said the summit was established to address skills and knowledge gaps in the tourism sector.

“This summit is a platform for constructive dialogue among policymakers, employers and educators to address the skills and knowledge gaps in our sector,” Mr Sikumba said.

He noted that the tourism sector currently directly supports over 159,000 jobs across transport, hospitality and related services.

He added that government was focusing on human capital development to sustain growth in the tourism industry.

A communiqué was also signed among the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to strengthen collaboration in tourism skills development.

The agreement is expected to enhance coordination among the ministries in aligning education, training and employment opportunities within the tourism sector.

Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba said the collaboration reflects government’s commitment to human capital development and expanding opportunities for young people.

“At the core of everything that we are doing is human capital and opening opportunities for young people in the sector,” he said.