The Zambia Travel Expo 2026 has been officially launched under the theme, “Building Authentic and Sustainable Tourism through Partnerships,” with the event scheduled to take place from 4 to 6 June 2026 in Lusaka.
The Expo is organised by the Zambia Tourism Agency, Zambia’s national tourism marketing body mandated to promote the country as a preferred destination for leisure and business travel.
First introduced around 2015, ZATEX was established as a strategic platform to consolidate Zambia’s tourism offering under one roof, facilitate engagement between local operators and international buyers, and strengthen destination visibility. Since its inception, the Expo has recorded steady growth in both participation and international reach, with early editions attracting dozens of exhibitors and hosted buyers from key markets in Europe, North America and Africa.
Over the years, the platform has evolved from a national showcase into a structured tourism marketplace, integrating exhibition displays, business-to-business engagements, hosted buyer programmes and knowledge sessions. This model has enabled direct interaction across the tourism value chain, while supporting both inbound tourism growth and domestic travel promotion.
The 2025 edition marked a significant phase in this trajectory, bringing together more than 1,500 participants, over 100 exhibitors and close to 30 hosted international buyers, with representation spanning European and African markets. Engagements during the Expo focused on destination marketing, digital transformation, air connectivity and sustainability, reflecting broader industry priorities.
As Zambia’s flagship tourism trade platform, ZATEX continues to provide a coordinated interface between public sector policy direction and private sector participation. The Expo facilitates market access, partnership development and investment dialogue, while reinforcing Zambia’s positioning within regional and global tourism circuits.
The 2026 edition builds on this foundation, with a focus on partnership-driven growth and sustainable tourism development. The theme underscores the role of collaboration in enhancing competitiveness, strengthening value chains and supporting long-term sector resilience.
Participation is open to sponsors, partners, exhibitors and delegates seeking to engage with both local and international markets. The Expo is expected to once again convene industry stakeholders in Lusaka, providing a platform for networking, business exchange and sector dialogue.
Registration for the 2026 edition is currently open.
