Click Here & Upgrade PDF Complete Expanded Features Unlimited Pages Documents GSM networks thus increasing the flexibility and convenience especially for international tourists. Special attention is needed to rollout communication facilities in other important destinations especially in national parks as part of a comprehensive programme to upgrade facilities in various upmarket tourist destinations. This is so because Zambia will for a long time to come depend on wildlife based tourism. Therefore, ICTs can trigger enormous investments especially in wildlife based tourist destinations and contribute to general improvement of commerce, travel and tour operations. However, the proliferation of ICT equipment such as computers and other accessories requires special effort to mitigate any negative impacts on the environment and natural resources. Therefore, environmental strategies need to be adopted at an early stage in the acquisition, manufacture and disposal of ICT products. Notwithstanding the above situation, the industry faces a number of challenges that are constraining the development of the sector and limiting its contribution to national development. Some of these include: (a) (b) (c) Limited and inadequate ICT infrastructure, which presents significant barriers to the deployment of value-added ICT services and effective application of ICTs in the sector; Lack of adequate, reliable, timely and relevant information on tourism products and services including lack of information on tourist destinations available in the country; Lack of proper ICT hardware and accessory disposal mechanisms and/or recycling technologies. 2.11 YOUTH AND WOMEN The value of ICTs is largely seen through increased productivity, more efficient operations, improved information access and dissemination; equitable participation in social, political, and economic spheres; access to education and health; and breaking barriers of isolation. Therefore, successful diffusion, application and use of ICTs in the development process will depend on the involvement of women who are marginalized in society and yet constitute over half (51%) of the Zambian population. On the other hand, youths constitute a special group capable of using, deploying and taking ICTs into the future. This is even true given that, youths constitute about 60% of the population and are usually the early adopters of ICTs in any given society. It is widely accepted that any development activity that excludes youths and women will not achieve sustainable results. Information access and dissemination are some of the key empowerment tools for youths 15