Since the aim of this article is to identify and explore tourism planning processes in government sustainability policy and planning and their subsequent effectiveness, a qualitative approach was used. The study used the non-probability sampling design to collect data from local tourism authorities and agencies. As Kelley, Clark, Brown, and Sitzia (2003) rightly observed, the purposive sampling technique was found to be adequate and appropriate for such an investigation. Considering the facts stated above, the purposive sampling method was adopted. Interview guides and questionnaires were the instruments used for data collection. The interviews and administration of the questionnaire were carried out with local authorities, government tourism agencies (MTENR/ZAWA/ZEMA), community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) and consultants. In addition, institutions related to the Zambian tourism industry were also contacted to obtain the required information and data. In order to be able to capture a significant number of tourism planners in the sample population, data was collected from the tourism agencies of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Natural Resources and Natural Resources in Lusaka, the Zambia Wildlife Authority at Chilanga headquarters in Lusaka, the Zambia Tourism Authority in Lusaka and the local ZAWA regional branch. in the Livingstone region (Mosi-oa-Tunya). Local community leaders from the greater Livingstone area from Community Resource Boards (CBR) agencies and popular lodges, tourism businesses and guest houses in Livingstone make up the local community. The research was conducted from the month of November 2012 to April 2013. In total, 85 questionnaires were completed for this particular study, 9 in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with people involved in the po... .. middle of document ......o help with the categorization of respondents. However, given the small specific population sample involved in this survey, a series of open-ended questions were included to generate a more qualitative source of explanatory information that can add a richer dimension to the understanding of the responses. The fieldwork therefore aimed to interview representatives of large groups. It was designed from a series of semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Bartlett et al (2001) explained that the criterion used to determine sample size is an important issue in research. The study uses descriptive analysis and explanation of the data, as well as the use of appropriate theory to help explain the events (Attia 1999, Helmy 1999). However, the study does not aim to answer a political question or solve a pressing social problem, but rather to explain the causes and consequences of planning and policy decisions..