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Tourism (1)
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Livingstone

Tourism in Livingstone

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Tourism in Livingstone

The town of Livingstone is named after the Scottish Missionary explorer David Livingstone was established in 1905 and became the capital of the then Northern Rhodesia in 1911. When Lusaka became capital in 1935 the town of Livingstone became somewhat isolated and provincial. Now it is one of the country's major tourist centres due to its close proximity to Victoria Falls and the River Zambezi.

It has a number of museums such as the Livingstone Museum and the Railway Museum, markets and old colonial buildings. There are a number of hotels and restaurants that cater for all types of tourists from the backpackers to those seeking a bit of luxury.

Tourism in Zambia

In an attempt to develop its tourist sector the government has looked towards World Bank support to help improved the standard of some of its hotels. The Tunya Lodge formerly the Zambezi Motel had seriously deteriorated where most rooms were in a state of disrepair. The intention is to renovate the hotel and upgrade it. Access to water, electricity and sanitation must all be improved if the hotel is to become operational. Water is to provided by sinking a borehole to Livingstone City Councils supply, electricity from the National Grid with backup generators and solid and liquid waste will be collected by the City Council. The World Bank is closely monitoring the environmental impact of these changes to ensure that any external costs are kept to a minimum.

Tourism in Livingstone

The tourist industry generates a number of jobs. As stated in the promotional literature, Livingstone is becoming the "Adventure Centre of Southern Africa". Within a few kilometres of the town there are opportunities for white water rafting, bungi jumping, canoeing, Horseback riding, river boarding, abseiling and microlighting. All of these activities generate employment for Zambians. Likewise the hotels and restaurants need managers, cooks, waiters, cleaners. In Livingstone there are a myriad of markets and stalls selling souvenirs for the tourists. Although the tourist industry in Zambia is small it generates a much-needed inflow of foreign currency into the country hence the support from the World Bank.

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Related Glossary Items:
Externalities
World Bank
External Costs
Multiplier

Related Issues:
Zambian Railway Restructuring Project

Related Theories:
The Theory of Externalities
The Causes of Economic Growth
The Multiplier Principle