THE Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) has launched an inaugural social networking programme to promote tourism products and investment into the tourism sector.

ZTB managing director Felix Chaila announced the initiative at a special session for the Zambian Diaspora in London at the weekend.

The special session was on the theme 'Marketing Zambia as Tourist Destination and Investment Opportunities in the Tourism Industry' held at the Zambian High Commission in London.

This is according to a statement released by Press Secretary at the Zambian High Commission in London, Amos Chanda.

The initiative would incorporate maximum usage of social media and was intended to market both tourism products and attract investment.

This would be done by availing necessary information on the incentives that would be offered by the Government.

Mr Chaila said there was a huge gap between Zambians in the Diaspora and ZTB and that the initiative would help close that gap.

"We are pleased to be doing this at the Zambia High Commission in London because this is a special event for us," Mr Chaila said.

Zambia's High Commissioner to the UK Bizwayo Nkunika said the mission was open to Zambians and institutions seeking to advance national interest.

Lieutenant Colonel Nkunika encouraged ZTB and other players seeking to promote tourism to make the best use of the facility as it was an open one.

Lt Col Nkunika said the session was testimony to the mission's commitment to marketing Zambia and further urged Zambians in the diaspora to use the mission instead of wasting time propagating gossip and rumours as was often seen in some media platforms.

The session took place after the close of the 2012 World Travel Market (WTM) that took place at Excel Centre in London.

The Zambian delegation was led by Tourism and Arts Deputy Minister David Phiri and his Permanent Secretary Charity Mwansa.

The WTM is a global networking exhibition staged annually in London as a leading global event for the travel industry.

It provides a vibrant business event with a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and international travel professionals.