An Israeli travel and tours management company has expressed interest to start charter flights to bring tourists directly to Zambia from Israel.

In a statement, Ministry of Tourism and Arts public relations officer Sakabilo Kalembwe stated that the company expressed interest when Tourism and Arts Minister Dr Charles Banda met the firm’s chief executive officer Kramer Ephraim in Israel.

“Israeli big destination management company, Eshet, has expressed interest to commence charter flights to bring Israeli tourists directly to Zambia and Zambians to Israel for pilgrimage. Speaking during a meeting with Zambian Minister of Tourism and Arts Charles Banda in Tel Aviv, company president and chief executive officer Mr Kramer Ephraim of Eshet Tours is conducting charter flights to various destinations in Africa and the world, as well as sending groups on regular flights,” read the statement released, Tuesday.

“He said Eshet would start sending tourism groups on regular commercial flights to Zambia directly as at the moment their clients travel to Zambia via South Africa and Zimbabwe then connect to Livingstone. And the Minister said the deal would benefit both parties as Zambia has a lot to offer as a tourism destination of choice such as safari, diverse waterfalls and adventure tourism.”

Kalembwe stated that the Tourism Minister told Ephraim that Zambia persistently faced a challenge of air connectivity for more countries to visit and appreciate the country’s tourism.

“Dr Banda said the challenge has been opening up more connectivity to Zambia and that is the reason the Ministry is discussing with seasoned and established tour companies like Eshet Tours to open up the sector. He also invited Eshet Tours to the Zambia Travel Expo scheduled to take place in April, 2019, and the Zambia Tourism Agency would facilitate local logistics for media and travel agents that would attend the ZATEX under Eshet Tours in order to appreciate the diverse nature of Zambia’s tourism offering. Israel records about 7 million annual travels abroad out about 8.7 million people,” read the statement.