The Unsustainability of Community Tourism Donor Projects: Lessons from Zambia - Responsible Tourism: Critical Issues for Conservation and Development - page 305

debate. The World Tourism and Travel Council forecasts for 2007, based on the
Tourism Satellite Accounting method, estimate that tourism will account for 4 per
cent, directly and indirectly, of GDP; 55,000 jobs, 3.3 per cent of total employ-
ment; and grow in real terms by 4.7 per cent per annum between 2008 and 2017
(WTTC, 2007). In-depth research on the economic impact of tourism in specific
locations in Zambia is limited to a study commissioned by the Luangwa Safari
Association that suggested that tourism in the valley was worth US$6 million
annually (Pope, 2005).
Tourism development has been slower than in some other countries in the
region and shaped by internal and external factors. Economic priority in post-
independent Zambia was given to copper mining and tourism development was
significantly fettered by the country's involvement in protracted liberation strug-
gles in Zimbabwe (1965-1980) and later South Africa, which reduced tourism
arrivals and effectively put a brake on economic development (Teye, 1986).
Tourism development has also been constrained by geographical factors such as
the very short tourism season (June-October) due to the rainfall pattern, the
remoteness of tourism assets, long travel distances and the dependence on air
transport, and the heavy capital investment needed for infrastructure develop-
ment (Teye, 1988). Challenges identified by the government include inadequate
marketing of the destination and product development, poor programme imple-
mentation, lack of development finance, low level of skills, lack of private sector
incentives and bureaucratic delays and high costs (GRZ, 2002). The PROFIT
study established additional constraints such as shortages of material inputs (e.g.
fuel), a poor relationship between the private sector and the government, poor
cohesion and organization in the private sector, restrictive immigration of expatri-
ate tourism professionals, and poor governance and transparency in government
and communities (Dixey, 2005). Finally, HIV/AIDS has impacted adversely on
the tourism sector reducing labour productivity, increasing labour costs and
worsening skill shortages (Rosen et al, 2006).
The Tourism Policy stresses that the sector is pivotal to bringing development
and poverty alleviation to rural areas (GRZ, 1999).This is reflected in the Poverty
Reduction Strategy Paper 2002-2004 that states the government's vision is ' to
ensure that Zambia becomes a major tourist destination of choice with unique features,
which contributes to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction ' (GRZ, 2002,
p67). However, despite the recognition of the potential pro-poor benefits of
tourism in the strategy paper, it has been noted that ' this support is often not
reflected in sectoral policies and plans ' (ODI, 2006, p1). The Fifth National
Development Plan, 2006-2010, continues to promote the potential of the tourism
sector in reducing poverty (GRZ, 2006). In view of the fact that tourism has
become increasingly important in poverty reduction strategies and plans, it is
surprising that as noted by Rogerson (2003), tourism development in Zambia
remains under-researched.