By MUMBA MWANSA LOCAL real estate developers have been urged to invest in Livingstone ahead of the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly scheduled for August this year, which will be co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe. Fairworld Properties Limited chief executive officer Chisebwe Fumbeshi said in an interview in Lusaka that the global tourism forum offers real estate investment opportunities for various business ventures not only during the UNWTO conference but also afterwards. Mr Fumbeshi, who is a registered valuation surveyor and member of the Surveyors Institute of Zambia and Zambia Institute of Estate Agents, said real estate developers have a role to play in hosting the UNWTO general assembly. He said the conference will generate an influx of more tourists, thus increasing demand for real estate like apartments, lodges and villas in Livingstone and surrounding areas. Mr Fumbeshi said Fairworld is committed to ensuring that it provides professional service to the development of the country by investing more in quality service delivery. Fairworld offers a full range of integrated property services of property valuation, estate agency, property management and development consultancy in Zambia and surrounding countries. “Our commitment, whatever the situation, is to ensure that our clients receive the most efficient and effective property solution in a manner that exceeds expectations,” Mr Fumbeshi said. Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo has said Zambia has made tremendous progress in preparing for the UNWTO general assembly. Ms Masebo is happy with the rate at which various stakeholders are preparing for the global tourism forum. So far, the Livingstone City Council has prioritised rehabilitation of seven roads and development of some infrastructure which will be done before the commencement of the UNWTO general assembly. And Government has, among other things, invested about KR3.5 million on online advertisement of the UNWTO conference. Zambia Daily Mail 9/1/2013