Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Reverend Howard Sikwela says there is need for training and capacity building amongst staff at the ministry and other sector players to improve tourism sector performance.

Speaking when the US Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry, Wednesday, Rev Sikwela said the training of village scouts and wildlife police officers needed to be improved on.

He said other staff members also needed capacity building in the capturing of data, including that of tourist arrivals, hotel grading among other capabilities that could be enhanced.

Rev Sikwekela observed that Zambians needed to have an attitude change towards the sector so that there could be good reception when serving both visiting tourists and investors.

And in response, Ambassador Foote said his government had already been training security forces, police and wildlife police officers around the world from which Zambia could benefit.

He said his Mission had an allocation of up US$1.5 million per year that could help in wildlife crime prevention and support to cooperating partners involved in conservation around the country.

Ambassador Foote said what Zambia needed was to actualise commitments made in discussions of how best to improve the appreciation of conservation efforts as a country.