The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, along with relevant stakeholders, hosted a meeting on joint venture tourism in conservancies within the Zambezi Region.

This meeting forms part of Deputy Minister Heather Sibungo's visit to traditional authorities and conservancy representatives in the Zambezi Region.

Sibungo stated that the meeting was aimed at discussing and clarifying current and future legal and policy frameworks for joint venture arrangements between conservancies and lodge operators.

"By following set guidelines, conservancies can ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with conservation principles when entering into business partnerships, joint ventures, or agreements. This process aims to safeguard the long-term sustainability of the conservancy's activities while promoting responsible and beneficial collaborations."

Zambezi Governor Lawrence Sampofu said he had no doubt that the community-based natural resource management programme would be significant in contributing to poverty alleviation and long-term rural development in the region.

He says this can only be achieved through lodge operators and community members focusing their efforts on sustainable rural development goals.

"Let me, however, acknowledge that achieving our goals in conservancies, tourism development, and deriving all the benefits requires us to guard against conflicts and infighting by community members in conservancies, corruption, and poor governance and administration of conservancies."

Joint venture partnerships between conservancies and tourism operators should therefore be appreciated and respected, he said, urging community members not to disturb tourist activities at lodges.

He stressed that tourism operators pay their required fees and profits over to communities as per the joint venture agreements in place.