Tourism Food Supply Linkages in Zambia: Evidence from the African Safari Lodge Sector

Abstract

The significance of strengthening intersectoral linkages between tourism and agriculture is acknowledged. In particular, the building of local linkages is considered a potential vehicle for pro-poor development. Against the background of international scholarship on tourism–agriculture linkages this article presents findings from research on the food supply patterns of safari lodges in Zambia, a growing African tourism destination. It is concluded that while 60% of food supplies to these upmarket tourism establishments are sourced from within Zambia, the actual amount of food production for lodges that originates in neighboring communities is relatively small. Several factors that limit local linkages are highlighted.