EgyptAir to launch Lusaka Cairo Route

EGYPT Air is to introduce four direct flights per week between Cairo and Lusaka.

The introduction of direct flights between Zambia and Cairo by Egypt-Air would help in promoting and increasing tourist arrivals into the country.

Egypt and Zambia are also expected to use the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa to promote investment opportunities in the tourism sector.

This came to light when Egyptian Ambassador to Zambia, Sherif Kamal Shaheen, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Catherine Namugala.

A statement released by the ministry’s public relations officer, Bwalya Nondo, says the introduction of direct flights into Lusaka, with a maiden flight from Cairo expected at the end of June this year, has cheered Ms Namugala.

She described it as a milestone that would contribute to the growth of the tourism industry.

Ms Namugala also praised Egypt for offering scholarships in tourism, which sector she said was key to fighting poverty and creating jobs. Egypt will, under its Foreign Affairs African Technical Fund, offer Zambia scholarships for training in tourism.

And Mr Shaheen said his government was willing to partner with Zambia in developing Kasaba Bay as a world-class tourism resort.

The model for developing Kasaba Bay is premised on Egypt’s Sharma-el-Sheik tourism resort, which President Mwanawasa, before his death, visited to gather first-hand information on how the estate could be replicated at Kasaba Bay.

Ms Namugala emphasised the need for intra-regional cooperation in tourism promotion and investment so that the revenue earned from the sector could remain within the continent for the socio-economic benefit of people.

She said Africa was endowed with natural resources and attractions that should be used to stimulate tourism growth.