ZATO promotes and develops community based tourism in Zambia. We strongly believe it is through community based tourism that our cultural tourism which is almost non-existent can be developed, encouraged and enhanced. The Association is also involved in conservation education with its partners.

We give workshops for tourism stakeholders including government departments to have a mindset change and allow innovation and creativity to thrive without putting stumbling blocks.

ZATO also encourages the local communities to develop community based tourism experiences through roadshows and workshops. The idea is for local communities and their people to own these products.

ZATO as a marketing platform with its Destination Management Companies/Tour operators as members will package and market the community based tourism experiences.

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An example of a Cultural Experience by one of the ZATO members is an explanation about Zambian marriage rituals like in underneath video.

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Right now in Livingstone we have 3 establishments that have since done that.

1. African Bush Cuisine dinner - This is an activity that offers a buffet dinner in the bush and get to watch some traditional dancing performances

2. Zambezi Ward Business Unit - They offer a mini safari and African sunset picnic that ends up with an entry into local community which also ends up with people sitting around the fire to a buffet of some African foods and talk about social issues.

3. Likumbi lye Mize - they offer a village tour which ends up with a bone fire and people sitting around with some dances where clients participate and listen to African stories.

4. Mukini Village - Travellers are taken for a Mukuni Village tour where information about African traditional leadership is given and the culture and traditions are shared. Finally, the clients get to sit around a burnfire and treated to some African cuisine and get to listen to some African stories.

ZATO is working on taking the ideas of the above CBT experiences to other communities across Zambia.

Conservation Activities

Beside developing and promoting cultural tourism, ZATO is very much involved in conservation efforts, especially when it comes to wildlife. We participate in road shows that focus on animal human conflicts and encourage innovation around these challenges through product developments for people who live alongside nature parks so the also enjoy its benefits.

ZATO is also campaigning to have conservation fees attached to bookings of all business properties that are located in the parks, so that such fees can go towards the mitigation of damaged property and fields (Crops) by wildlife. Which is experienced by local communities that are located around and near the parks. We believe those business carry the responsibilities for displacing the animals as they take space in the parks and hence should help in restitution of their effects on the communities.

ZATO believes in tourism for inclusive growth

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