DURBAN | May 22, 2025: Proflight Zambia showcased its vital role in connecting Zambia’s diverse tourism destinations as part of the country’s strong presence at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025. Joining 40 other Zambian tourism stakeholders at the premier travel trade show held in Durban from May 13-15, the airline emphasised the importance of collaborative destination marketing.
Zola Khondowe, Manager of Customer Support Services, who attended the event, highlighted the strategic value of this unified approach: “In a competitive marketplace like Africa’s Travel Indaba, standing together as Team Zambia creates a stronger impact than any single operator could achieve alone. For Proflight, being part of this unified presence alongside our tourism partners demonstrated our shared commitment to promoting Zambia as a destination.”
The Zambia stand attracted consistent interest throughout the three-day event at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, with stakeholders reporting productive engagement with international buyers and media.
“Our participation was about more than just promoting flight routes,” Khondowe continued. “It was about showing how Proflight’s connectivity enables travellers to experience everything Zambia has to offer – from Victoria Falls, to adventure activities, safari, the local culture, and MICE travel – as part of one seamless journey.”
Khondowe and Christine Kunda, Senior Customer Service Representative from Proflight Zambia were on the stand for all three days, engaging with buyers and addressing their questions about logistics and connectivity within the country. The team found the level of engagement both productive and encouraging as they connected with existing partners and new industry contacts interested in packaging Zambia’s diverse destinations.
Conversations at the stand revealed a notable shift in the marketplace toward Zambia’s longstanding tourism attributes. Ian Pollard, Commercial Manager for African Parks at Kafue National Park, observed: “What the trade is looking for right now is authenticity, exclusivity, and I think that’s what Zambia offers.”
Economic considerations also influence buyer interest: “We’re affordable in many ways in comparison, maybe to other products, so that’s also driving a slight change,” Pollard explained.
He also credited the government’s commitment to tourism promotion: “I think the government’s doing a really great job getting us to these shows, but also promoting the destinations.”
The impressive showing of 41 Zambian exhibitors demonstrated the sector’s maturity and growth: “Forty-one organisations here are showing what Zambia shows, that there is tourism growth as well, and I think that growth brings more competition and more competition means improved products,” Pollard remarked.
The Zambia stand was further enhanced by the presence of Hon. Rodney Sikumba, Minister of Tourism, who led high-level engagements throughout the event. The Minister conducted bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, including South African Deputy President, Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile.
Minister Sikumba also took time to engage with private sector exhibitors on the Zambia stand, acknowledging their contributions to the country’s tourism growth and promotion on the international stage.
“Having the Minister of Tourism among us at Africa Travel Indaba demonstrated the strong partnership between government and industry that makes Zambia’s tourism offering so compelling,” Khondowe concluded. “This unified approach, bringing together Proflight Zambia, conservation organisations, tour operators and government stakeholders, ensures that visitors can experience the best of our country with seamless connectivity and support. We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we welcome more travellers to discover Zambia’s remarkable destinations.”
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About Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia, established in 2005, is Zambia’s leading schedule airline. Operating from its base in Lusaka its domestic routes include Kalumbila, Kasama, Livingstone, Mansa, Mfuwe, Ndola, and Solwezi, seasonal safari routes to Jeki/Royal airstrips in Lower Zambezi National Park. The airline’s regional flights to South Africa operate between Lusaka and Johannesburg, Lusaka and Cape Town (via Livingstone) and Livingstone and Cape Town direct.
The airline prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and friendly service, and offering good value to business and leisure travellers locally and internationally.
The airline operates four 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-200 Jets, a Bombardier CRJ-100 Freighter Jet, four 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft and one 18-seater Jetstream 32 aircraft.
More information is available at www.flyzambia.com