Mulemwa Moongwa, chairperson, Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS), has unveiled plans for the upcoming Travel, Hospitality, and Tourism Education Summit 2024.
While unveiling the plan during an interview with Voyages Afriq, she outlined the initiative as part of a broader effort to elevate tourism education standards in Zambia. Building upon the groundwork laid by the UN Tourism Education Guidelines, last year’s summit in Zambia brought to light a significant skills and knowledge gap within the country’s tourism sector.
Reflecting on the impetus behind the summit, Moongwa stated, “Last year, we began the implementation of the UNWTO Tourism Education Guidelines. What we realized in Zambia is that we had a significant skill and knowledge gap. If we were going to improve our competitiveness and attractiveness, we needed to do more. So, we conducted a local introspection, leading to the inaugural edition, primarily focused on Zambia.”
Scheduled to take place from April 15 to 17, 2024, the summit is poised to offer invaluable insights for educators and policymakers alike.
At the heart of its agenda lies the introduction of a new curriculum framework designed to fortify the educational foundations of the tourism industry.
“We have just rolled out our new curriculum framework for the school system. This summit serves as a learning platform for educators, policymakers, and employers. It will span three days in April, focusing on Africa’s recovery from within and with a primary emphasis on the human contribution to tourism development,” Moongwa elaborated.
Furthermore, Moongwa emphasized that the summit is not confined to Zambia but is open to all stakeholders.
“Yes, it is open to all. It welcomes participation from regional countries at the continental level. We aim to garner involvement from entities such as the African Union (AU), COMESA, and the Eastern African Community, considering the significance of tourism services. Thus, we anticipate a broader reach beyond these regions, extending across the entire continent,” she concluded.
Story by Jenice Attah and edited by Obinna Emelike
