• Traditional Ceremonies play a critical role in the development of the sector.
• Cancellation of the N’cwala and other traditional ceremonies will have a negative impact on the Tourism sector.
• Covid-19 is contagious looking at the number of people that have died so far.

Tourism Minister says the cancellation of the N’cwala and other traditional ceremonies as a result of the Covid-19 will have a negative impact on the Tourism sector.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Ronald Chitotela said this is because traditional Ceremonies play a critical role in the development of the sector as they help in boosting operations for hotels and lodges, a situation that creates income for people in the hospitality industry.
Mr Chitotela added that as much as the government would want to promote the tourism sub sector in terms of local participation, it is also important to be mindful of the need to secure the lives of Zambians.
“As you may be aware traditional ceremonies play a critical role in the promotion of local tourism, which also helps to boost operations for hotels and lodges, a situation that creates income for people in the hospitality industry,” he said.
He said Covid-19 is contagious looking at the number of people that have died so far, and the number of jobs that have been lost in the sector since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Mr Chitotela noted that there is need to strike a balance between the economic activities and the health of the people, adding that government will not allow the economic sector to collapse because both are key for the development of the country.
“We need to strike a balance between economic activities and health, as we are protecting the lives of the people it is also important that the economic sector does not collapse,” Mr Chitotela said.