Importance of Tourism:
Economic Impact: Tourism is seen as a key driver for economic diversification and growth in Africa. It has the potential to significantly stimulate economies.
Employment Opportunities: The tourism sector is labor-intensive, providing numerous jobs globally. In 2019, it accounted for 10.6% of global employment, with 1 in 10 jobs worldwide and 1 in 4 new jobs in the sector. The industry allows for quick entry into the workforce, especially for youth and women.
Multiplier Effect: Tourism has a broad impact, benefiting sectors such as accommodation, food services, agriculture, retail, and transportation. When managed well, it boosts economic diversification, promotes local culture and products, and supports job creation.
Focus on Human Capital: The Ministry of Tourism prioritizes human contributions to the sector’s growth. The sources highlight the need for adequate knowledge and skills to ensure a destination’s competitiveness and the importance of education in optimizing human resources.
Intra-Africa Potential: The potential of intra-Africa tourism is significant, as tapping into just 10% of Africa’s 1.2 billion population for travel could lead to a sustainable recovery for the sector.
Infinite Resource: Unlike finite resources like gold, tourism offers an infinite source of potential for Africa
Summit Objectives
The Education Summit 2026 aims to:
- Position education and skills development as a strategic driver of tourism transformation and economic diversification, supporting job creation, productivity, and inclusive growth.
- Strengthen industry–education integration to ensure curricula, assessment, and training outcomes are aligned to current and future labour market needs across the tourism value chain.
- Advance a one government approach to tourism human capital development, strengthening coordination among education, labour, trade, tourism, and conservation portfolios.
- Build educator and institutional capacity to deliver relevant, future-oriented Travel and Tourism education from school level through TEVET and higher education.
- Promote sustainable, conservation-led, and culturally grounded tourism skills, including the integration of indigenous knowledge systems and vocational excellence.
- Consolidate Zambia’s regional leadership role in tourism education and skills development, leveraging partnerships with UN Tourism, regional bodies, and development partners.
Expected Outcomes
The summit anticipates the following outcomes:
- Policy and technical recommendations on tourism education and skills development
- Strengthened industry–education partnerships
- Enhanced capacity of teachers and educators
- Inputs into a coordinated national tourism education and skills strategy
- Reduced duplication and improved donor coordination
- Strengthened positioning of ZITHS as a regional centre of excellence
Join the Summit
The Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit is a recurring event organized by the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS).
