In order to continuously pique the interest of the North African and Middle East market and to further enhance Zambia’s attractiveness as a prime tourist destination of choice, the Cairo Mission hosted a Destination Zambia awareness event in Cairo, Egypt on 7th December, 2023. The event, which gave invited guests a glimpse of Zambia’s main tourist attractions, was held aboard the Sai Yacht on the Nile River. This immersive experience also took guests on an unforgettable journey of authentic Zambian songs, traditional dances, and culinary delights.
Hosted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia in Egypt Maj. Gen. Topply Mulambo Lubaya (Rtd), the occasion was graced by the Ambassador of Cameroun and Dean of the African Ambassadors Group in Cairo, H. E CG Dr. Mohamadou Labarang, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Egypt, H.E CG Dan Munyuza, representatives from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and African Tourism Board Director Ms. Nancy Abdelhadi. Invited guests also comprised reputable tour operators in the region, Ethiopian Airlines, tourism attaches from countries of extra accreditation and influencers.
Leading media outlets (Nile TV, Egyptian Streets and MBC TV) were also present to capture the events’ memorable moments and .In his welcome remarks, H.E. the Ambassador Maj. Gen. Lubaya (Rtd) emphasized that the aim of the event was to encourage travellers from the North African and Middle East market to prioritise Zambia as a prime tourist destination in 2024 and beyond. He further indicated that Zambia was ready to receive visitors and expressed his confidence that tourists would have the most memorable experience as the country had a diverse tourism offering.
As a symbol of a warm welcome and to portray a deep sense of belonging for the guests, they were wrapped in a piece of chitenge as they arrived while the guests were received by ushers dressed in traditional attire worn by the Lozi people of the Western Province called Musisi (for the woman) and Siziba (for the man). A welcome drink made out of baobab fruit was served while Zambian music artist Tasila Mwale welcomed the guests in style with her appropriately titled song ‘Takulandilani’.
This was followed by an engaging presentation by Ms. Jessie Simukoko, Counsellor Tourism at the Cairo Mission, which creatively depicted Zambia’s tourism offering, and was crafted to ignite a yearning for Zambia as the go-to destination for an authentic African tourism experience.
The guests indulged in Zambian culinary delicacies of edible wild orchid (chikanda), roasted cassava with groundnuts, vegetables in groundnut paste (ifisashi), fried caterpillars, (ifishimu), village (free range) chicken stew and fried sardines (kapenta) which accompanied the country’s staple food made out of maize meal and cassava meal (nshima). Guests also had a taste of hot Zambian beverages with a choice of Kawambwa tea, Kasama coffee and Yathu tea, sweetened with either Luano Valley honey or sugar from Mazabuka’s Zambia Sugar Plc.
The guests indulged in Zambian culinary delicacies of edible wild orchid (chikanda), roasted cassava with groundnuts, vegetables in groundnut paste (ifisashi), fried caterpillars, (ifishimu), village (free range) chicken stew and fried sardines (kapenta) which accompanied the country’s staple food made out of maize meal and cassava meal (nshima). Guests also had a taste of hot Zambian beverages with a choice of Kawambwa tea, Kasama coffee and Yathu tea, sweetened with either Luano Valley honey or sugar from Mazabuka’s Zambia Sugar Plc.
The evening was concluded with the showcasing of arts and crafts that are unique to Zambia as well as a sample of traditional dances that depict the vibrance and rhythmic movement of the Zambian people.
We wish to thank Ministry of Tourism Zambia and the management team at Zambia Tourism for the unwavering support rendered to the Cairo Mission’s efforts in the promotion of Zambia as a prime tourist destination for the North African and Middle East market.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the team at San Giovanni for the exceptional attention to detail in the successful execution of the event.