LUSAKA –The Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) has awarded 34 accommodation establishments across the country with official Star Grading in the second quarter of 2025, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring quality assurance and excellence in hospitality service delivery.
Speaking during the Star Grading Awards Ceremony held in Lusaka, Minister of Tourism Hon. Rodney Sikumba through his Permanent Secretary, Mr. Evans Muhanga reiterated Government’s commitment to strengthening the policy and legislative framework that supports tourism businesses while enforcing standards.
Mr. Muhanga further emphasized Government’s ambitious target of attracting three million international arrivals by 2025, noting that achieving this milestone requires excellence throughout the tourism value chain from hotels and lodges to tour guides and operators, to safety and hospitality standards.
And Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary for Special Duties Mr. Kennedy Kalunga, who represented Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Patrick Kangwa, encouraged the private sector to continue investing in quality and standards to position Zambia competitively in the higher-value tourism market.
Mr. Kalunga further urged industry players to actively participate in the ongoing review of the Tourism and Hospitality Act No. 13 of 2013 by submitting position papers and impact assessments.
ZTA Board Chairperson, Mr. Daan Brink, highlighted that the grading of establishments not only recognizes excellence but also inspires continuous improvement in service delivery.
As Zambia works towards boosting international arrivals to 3 million and facilitating 5,000 bookings under the “Holiday Yamu Loko” domestic tourism campaign, ensuring that the country is recognized as a star-graded destination remains key. This commitment to high service standards and quality accommodations is central to attracting both international and domestic visitors.